The Power of Mentorship – Unleashing Potential for over 65 years
Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland is on a mission to unleash the potential of youth. To kick off our 65th anniversary celebrations, we are launching the Power of Mentorship, a storytelling series to highlight the life-changing difference strong, positive relationships can make in the lives and future careers of youth—our next generation of leaders.
Igniting Potential – Mentorship in Action
We are working in partnership with Business in Vancouver (BIV) to explore the power of mentorship by sharing a collection of stories from some of Vancouver’s most inspirational leaders—and the mentors who helped them along the way. Mentors can be a spark that ignites potential, and by showcasing these stories we hope to highlight the transformative impact that mentorship can have for young people in our community.
Big Sisters CEO Chantelle Krish connected with her mentor, Her Honour the Honourable 30th Lieutenant Governor of BC Janet Austin, while Chantelle worked as Strategic Advisor for the Office of the Lieutenant Governor. Both have played vital roles in Big Sisters history with Janet serving as a former Executive Director, a member of our Honourary Board, and most recently, as Honourary Patron.
Chantelle shared, “I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for Janet’s guidance and support. Janet’s unwavering dedication to mentorship and community has left an incredible legacy, and I am so grateful for her leadership and direction in my own journey. She opened so many doors for me and her support as a role model and mentor have allowed me to understand and start to realize my own potential.”
How Big Sisters Makes a Difference
At Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland, we believe that every girl or gender-diverse youth, no matter what their background or life circumstance, deserves to reach their full potential and we are here to connect them with a mentor who can help make their dreams a reality. Mentors can provide a listening ear, an unbiased, external outlet, and a consistent presence outside of the family unit which can allow youth to take the space they need to share, learn and grow.
Last year we served almost 500 matches across our core mentorship programs, each with their own unique challenges, opportunities and goals—but we know there are even more young people out there who need our support. Girls and gender-diverse youth who have access to the support of a mentor have been found to report more positive mental health, education, and career outcomes than their peers who did not have a mentor.
Unleashing Potential in Our 65th Year
In our position as the only mentorship charity solely focused on working with girls and gender-diverse youth in the region, we are here to ensure every girl in the Lower Mainland is supported to reach their full potential. This storytelling series is just the beginning—a spark in our 65th anniversary year that ignites a movement, empowering Big Sisters to unleash the full potential of youth in our communities.