News

Alex was facing a number of unique challenges in his teenage life before being matched with a Big Sister. As a neurodivergent, non-binary student managing epilepsy, he experienced difficulties at school and was subject to bullying and a lack of acceptance.

Gen Z and Gen Alpha often find themselves portrayed in a negative light in comparison to other generational groups. Born between 1997-2024, individuals in these demographics can be labeled as ‘self-centered’ or ‘socially awkward’ social media scrollers who struggle to fit in the workplace. Many news outlets refer to them using terms like ‘unmotivated’, ‘entitled’ or ‘living in fear’ having grown up in a digital landscape in which Covid-19 restrictions were present during key development stages. There is a negative generalization that young people today care more about consuming reels and taking part in dance trends rather than living in the ‘real world’. In reality, the habits and behaviours of these groups are simply a reflection of the environment and […]

Meet Nester Chen, a dedicated Big Sisters mentor who’s been supporting youth in our community for over 10 years. From co-leading workshops to celebrating personal milestones, her mentorship journey is filled with meaningful moments and lasting impact.

At Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland, our mentors create space for self-expression, connection, and growth—reminding youth they’re not alone in the world. This month, we’re excited to shine a spotlight on Rachel Michon, a dedicated Go Girls! mentor who’s been volunteering for over a decade. With every session, Rachel brings warmth, humour, and a genuine passion for helping youth feel seen and supported. “I’ve been volunteering on and off as a Go Girls! mentor for 10 years, and there’s a reason I’ve stuck with it this long. Every term, the positivity grows, the support gets stronger, and the mentees have an even better experience.”   Moments That Stick After 10 years of mentoring, Rachel has plenty of standout memories—but […]

This month has seen Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland mark a significant milestone. After 65 years of empowering girls and youth in our communities, we unveiled bold plans for future program expansion and long-term sustainable growth through Big Sisters Unleashing Potential campaign. This groundbreaking project will see us create British Columbia’s first and only Mentorship HUB—a dedicated space for connection, learning, and support. Over the last month we have covered so much ground and raised almost $3m towards our campaign goal of $5m that will help us support 1,000 girls and gender-diverse youth by 2029. [Support Big Sisters Unleashing Potential Campaign] We have so much exciting news to share! Here are just some of the highlights from the last […]

Last week, we gathered to celebrate the incredible volunteers who are at the heart of Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland. Our annual Volunteer Recognition Party was a chance to reflect on the dedication, care, and time that each volunteer gives to support youth in our community.   Honouring an Incredible Commitment Over the past year, our volunteers contributed an amazing 36,362 hours to mentoring and supporting young people. That’s 36,362 hours of listening, encouraging, and showing up—and it’s made a lasting impact. At the event, we had the pleasure of recognizing this generosity during our annual certificate ceremony. It was a moment to thank each volunteer for the unique ways they help ignite potential and create meaningful change.

Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland is celebrating its 65th anniversary with a bold new vision: the Unleashing Potential campaign. This milestone year is more than a celebration — it marks the beginning of a new chapter for mentorship in BC.   A New Chapter for Mentorship As the only standalone Big Sisters chapter in Canada, Big Sisters BCLM is leading the way in reimagining mentorship for girls and gender-diverse youth. The Unleashing Potential campaign highlights the life-changing impact of mentorship through the voices of mentees, mentors, and community leaders — sharing stories of growth, confidence, and connection. “This campaign isn’t just a look back at Big Sisters’ history — it’s a look forward, creating a legacy for generations to […]

Last night, we gathered for a very special evening — one that reminded us exactly why the Bright Futures Education Fund (BFEF) exists. Enjoying light bites, warm conversations, and meaningful connections, recipients, donors, committee members, and supporters came together to celebrate not just academic milestones, but the personal journeys that led each student here.   Celebrating Graduates This year, we had the honour of recognizing three graduates who completed their programs and are stepping into exciting new chapters. Two of our graduates, Wendlyn and Weronika, generously shared their stories with the room — offering an honest, heartfelt look at the challenges and victories of post-secondary life. Wendlyn, who just graduated from UBC’s Nursing program, spoke about the unexpected hurdles of […]

At Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland, our mission is rooted in helping youth reach their full potential through supportive mentoring relationships — and that includes affirming who they are. Many of the youth we serve, as well as our mentors, staff, and community members, identify as part of the 2SLGBTQAI+ community. We know that young people thrive when they feel safe, accepted, and seen. Pride Month is a powerful reminder of our role in building that kind of environment — not just in June, but all year long. By championing diversity and inclusion, we help create spaces where every young person feels empowered to show up as their authentic self.   Honouring the 2SLGBTQAI+ Community Pride is a time […]