News & Stories

September is Big Brothers Big Sisters Month—a time to celebrate mentoring, the connections it creates and the volunteers who continue to show up for young people in our communities.

At BGC Big Brothers Big Sisters of Edmonton & Area (BGCBigs), those connections take many forms. Sometimes they grow through conversations and activities. Other times, they’re built while baking cupcakes, learning to play chess or simply spending time together.

This year, we asked BGCBigs volunteers to reflect on their mentoring journeys: what they’ve learned, the moments they remember most and what they would say to someone considering becoming a mentor.

Their stories reminded us that mentoring isn’t always about BIG moments.

Sometimes, it’s the little ones that matter most.

 

Showing Up Matters

Across their stories, our volunteers returned to one idea again and again: you don’t need to have all the answers to be a mentor.

For Mckenzie, a Community-Based Big Brother, mentoring has been a reminder to slow down, be present and appreciate life’s simpler moments.

“So much of mentoring is simply showing up consistently, being present, and genuinely caring.”

Colleen shared similar advice from her experience in the Corporate Program:

“You don’t need to have all the answers or be an expert mentor. The most important thing is showing up consistently, being yourself, and taking a genuine interest in your mentee.”

It’s a simple idea, but an important one: being there matters.

The Little Moments Become BIG Memories

When we asked volunteers about their favourite memories, many didn’t share grand milestones. Instead, they remembered the everyday moments that became something more.

Kennedy remembered baking birthday cupcakes with her mentee, who then decided to share them—along with handmade cards—with teachers, janitorial staff and friends.

Janice remembered teaching her mentee to play chess and seeing how proud she was the first time she won a game against her.

Holly shared a moment when she and her mentee spotted Barbies dressed in fancy outfits and spontaneously started speaking to each other in royal accents.

And then there was Abiela’s mentee.

When asked to rate their relationship with their mentor from one to ten, the answer was:

“Can I put one billion?”

Different people. Different moments. But each reflects something at the heart of mentoring: connection.

Mentoring Goes Both Ways

Mentoring is about supporting young people, but our volunteers told us the experience has made a difference in their own lives, too.

Mikayla originally thought mentoring would be about what she could teach her mentee. Instead, she found herself learning from their curiosity, creativity and playfulness.

Kennedy said mentoring has taught her to be more adaptable and present.

“Being fully present can be more meaningful than having the perfect plan.”

Others spoke about finding purpose, building community, having fun and seeing the world differently through their mentees.

As McKenzie shared:

“The experience changes you just as much as it changes your mentee.”

Could You Be a Mentor?

When we asked our volunteers what they would tell someone considering mentoring, their advice was simple:

“Be patient, have fun, get out of your comfort zone.”

“You get more out of it than you put in.”

“Put yourself out there and don’t worry.”

And perhaps the simplest:

“Just do it—you will not regret it.”

You don’t need to be perfect or have everything figured out to become a mentor. Sometimes, making a BIG difference starts by simply showing up.

This Big Brothers Big Sisters Month, we’re celebrating the volunteers who do exactly that—through conversations, games, walks, laughter, encouragement and countless everyday moments with young people across Edmonton and the surrounding area.

Want to discover more REAL Stories? Meet more BGCBigs volunteers and learn how you can start your own mentoring journey.