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Overcoming Educational Barriers Through Mentorship

Youth today are filled with big dreams and hope for a better world. However, with the significant barriers standing in their way, it is difficult for a large portion of students to receive the academic support they deserve. Among them are over 300,000 young Canadians in low-income communities who are faced with numerous obstacles that make it more challenging to complete high school (Pathways to Education, n.d.). What’s equally alarming is elementary students are testing below historical trends in reading and math – vital skills that contribute to their academic success and personal development (CBC, 2023). The question remains how can we support youth in the wake of academic challenges? The answer lies in mentorship – a solution that not […]

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Supporting Big Sisters

How your contribution helps unleash the potential of youth

What do you think happens when you donate to a charity? What are you supporting and are you really making a difference? For many people, the decision to support a charity is a deeply personal one led by a desire to give back to something that is truly meaningful to them. The mission of an organization will align with their values, a touching story will speak to their heart or an injustice will spur them into action. Whatever the motivation, that feeling has been sparked. What usually comes next is a review of the credibility and impact. The equivalent of looking under the hood before buying a car. Is this organization transparent and trustworthy? Does my contribution matter and what […]

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Big Sisters Newsletter

We are so excited to share our first newsletter of 2024. In this publication, you’ll find the following: CEO Address: A word from our CEO Chantelle Krish Power in Prevention: Big Sisters Launches Initiative to Combat Gender-Based Violence Special Shout-out: Thank you Glenda  Donor Profile: The Houssian Foundation – Trust-Based Collaboration Match Spotlight: Big Sister Sharon & Little Sister Zaya’s Story Upcoming Events…and 2023 highlights

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MENTORING COORDINATOR: BIG SISTERS PROGRAM

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You are a positive person who demonstrates self-awareness and has a high level of attention to detail. You understand the importance of ensuring accurate and timely workflows, processes, and documentation to meet time sensitive deadlines. You are a team player and are passionate about the work that Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland does.

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The land we live and work on.

In this article, we reflect on Indigenous History Month and express our appreciation for the different nations whose traditional and unceded territories we live and operate on in the Lower Mainland. Join us as we acknowledge and learn about the lands of 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.    xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam)  The name xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) relates back to the flowering plant, məθkʷəy̓, which once abundantly grew throughout Musqueam territory. Today, the community is over 1,300 members and continues to grow. Many of the members live on a small portion of the traditional territory, known as the Musqueam […]

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Igniting Potential: Big Bros Barbershop and the Power of Community

In 2015, Jessie Anderson (he/him), with the support of his community through crowdfunding, established Big Bros Barbershop; a physical space maintained by and for transgender people. This unique barbershop not only offers excellent haircuts but also serves as a resource center for various demographics, including 2STGD+ (two-spirit, transgender, gender diverse) youth, their loved ones, elders of the queer community, allies, and more. Through Jessie’s impressive efforts, a casual and comfortable space has been created where people of all ages can comfortably question their gender identity. Big Bros Barbershop has cultivated a sense of community and connection for everyone who enters its doors. “On a great day at the shop, I’ve got elders and other people with more experiences or different […]

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Nurturing Diversity and Empowering Youth: Christa Giles’ take on Queer Inclusion and Mentorship through Recreation 

This week, we had the privilege of meeting with Christa Giles (she/her/hers) to talk about her experience working as a recreation programmer for the Vancouver Park Board and her efforts towards queer inclusion within that role. For her, the most healing activities are those focused on leisure and the way recreation can help people bond to one another. Some of the most valuable work she does is providing a safe space for 2-spirit, trans, and gender-diverse youth and adults through events like the weekly 2STGD swim and the queer circus drop-in. The way that she interacts with the various communities she serves is heavily inspired by her experiences working at the Britannia pool. She believes that “we’re not here in […]

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February is Black History Month

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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 […]

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Bursary Opportunity – Financial Assistance for Foster Children and Youth

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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 […]

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To Reach Us

Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland
Suite 200, 5118 Joyce Street Vancouver, BC V5R 4H1

Phone: 604-873-4525
Email: info@bigsisters.bc.ca
Charitable Business Number: 11880 9409 RR 0001

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© 2021, Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland - BSBCLM Charitable Business Number: 11880 9409 RR 0001

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.