Volunteer Spotlight: Tegan, Study Buddy Mentor
At Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland, our mentors make space for steady support, curiosity, and confidence. They show up week after week, helping young people feel capable and seen.
In recognition of National Mentoring Month, we’re pleased to spotlight Tegan, a Study Buddy mentor who supported her Little from October 2021 until November 2025. Tegan came to mentoring wanting to connect with her community and make a tangible difference, and over four years she became a dependable presence in a young person’s life.
“I was looking for a way to connect with my community and make a tangible difference in someone’s life. Becoming a mentor felt like a meaningful way to do that by showing up for a young person and helping them see their own potential.”
Moments That Stick
Tegan has plenty of memories, but one moment stands out. During a bowling outing, her Little used humour and empathy to comfort another mentee who was upset. Watching that kindness unfold felt like witnessing lessons take root.
“She used humour and empathy — the very tools I strived to model — to help her friend through it. It was such a beautiful glimpse of her growth and the kindness she was learning to share with others.”
It was a quiet, powerful sign that the confidence and compassion they worked on together were now part of how her Little showed up for others.
Why Mentorship Matters
For Tegan, the most meaningful part of mentoring was being a steady adult in a child’s life. That consistency created space for progress, especially where there had been few reliable adults before.
“I’ve loved being a consistent, positive presence for a child who had very few steady adult influences in her life. It’s been rewarding to see her confidence grow, especially as she began to find joy in reading after struggling with literacy for so long.”
To Tegan, mentorship means showing up reliably, kindly, and authentically. It means modelling healthy boundaries and creating room for both learning and laughter.
“To me, mentorship is about showing up: reliably, kindly, and authentically. It’s leading by example, setting healthy boundaries, and creating space for both learning and laughter.”
Although her formal match has now ended, Tegan’s influence remains. The confidence, skills, and joy she helped foster in her Little continue to grow, reflecting the lasting power of consistent mentorship.
Ready to Become a Mentor?
Tegan’s story shows how steady presence and encouragement can shift a child’s confidence and curiosity. Study Buddy mentors meet one-on-one with youth to support schoolwork, build study skills, and grow confidence in a safe, encouraging setting.
If you’d like to help a young person discover their strengths and reach their potential, learn more about becoming a Study Buddy mentor at bigsisters.bc.ca/become-a-volunteer-mentor or contact us at info@bigsisters.bc.ca.