Big Sisters is delighted to announce the appointment of our newest Board Directors: Anna Hardy, Daniel Levangie, Laura Smart, Ramya Hosak, Dr. Victoria Gay, and Winnie Mok. With their diverse backgrounds and extensive experience, we are confident that they will bring invaluable expertise and insight to our organization. We look forward to working with them to advance our mission and help more youth and young girls reach their full potential.
Every February, Canada celebrates Black History Month to recognize and pay homage to the significant contributions and achievements of Black Canadians. This year, the theme of Black History Month is “Ours to Tell”. The theme highlights the importance of telling the stories of Black Canadians and ensuring that their rich cultural heritage and experiences are accurately represented in our history books. It also emphasizes the responsibility of the community to preserve and pass down the stories from one generation to the next. Black History Month is a time to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black Canadians and to acknowledge the challenges they have faced. By embracing the theme “Ours to Tell”, we can work together to preserve the rich […]
Storwell Self Storage has developed the Foster Children Bursary Program to help former foster children and youth in care as they pursue their post-secondary education. Currently there are over 60,000 children in foster care, kinship care, or living in group homes across Canada. Many of these children have a difficult time obtaining access to adequate education. According to the Office of the Provincial Advocate for Children and Youth, 56% of Ontario Crown Wards end up dropping out of high school. The statistics are even more shocking when you look at post-secondary school enrollment. For every 1,000 youths in Canadian foster care, only eight go on to graduate with a post-secondary education. The vast majority of foster children wish to attend […]
Big Sister’s Exectuve Director, Chantelle Krish was featured The Discovery Pod. She talks about mentorship that she’s received and the mentorship that she provides as leader!.
At Big Sisters, we honour that the land on which we work and mentor is the traditional and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), səl̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), QayQayt First Nation, Kwantlen, q̓íc̓əy̓ (Katzie), Semiahmoo, Tsawwassen First Nations, kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), and Stó:lō Nation.
more than clothes “Artizia gifted the chance for so many of the youth we support to connect with their peers and create shared memories” – Chantelle Krish, Executive Director of Big Sisters Thanks to our friends at Aritzia, 100 youth who are currently part of the Big Sisters programs received the amazing opportunity to go on a shopping spree for back-to-school outfits at the annual Aritzia Warehouse sale. Aritzia’s community initiative offered 100 wristbands for the Littles and their families to grow their wardrobe and pick out new clothing items and accessories for the new school year! The youth were able to shop comfortably at no cost, and just in time for the beginning of school. A mother of one Little […]
Share the power of mentorship this September. Happy Big Brothers Big Sisters Month! For over 60 years, Big Sisters has continued to recognize the importance mentorship has on the youth in our communities. In the Lower Mainland, there are 135 youth on the waitlist looking for a caring and supportive mentor. With your support, we can: recruit volunteer mentors into our programs to support youth, fulfill the need of mentorship in our communities, bring awareness to the programs we provide, create a lasting impact for years to come. Did you know… 91% of youth reported being more disconnected from their community than pre-pandemic. However, 70% of youth who had regular contact with their mentor said it helped them feel less […]
Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland believes that every child and youth in the BC Lower Mainland who needs a mentor, should have a mentor. We provide positive mentorships to female, female-identifying, gender fluid, non-binary, transgender, and two-spirited children and youth who face challenges like bullying, isolation, poverty, abuse, social anxiety, low self-esteem, and more. Our programs are open to volunteers and youth who identify as female, transgender, or gender fluid. No one will be turned away based on these identities. We are committed to providing safe, inclusive environments for all individuals.
Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland is pleased to announce the selection of Chantelle Krish as its new Executive Director. Chantelle steps into the role following Hanne Madsen, who has provided integral leadership to the organization’s programming and services with a deep commitment to the community, youth, and staff.
On behalf of the Board of Directors of Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland, we want to share that our Executive Director, Hanne Madsen, will be leaving the Agency to pursue other opportunities in retirement. Thanks to Hanne’s commitment and contributions over her tenure, Big Sisters is well positioned for success in the future.