Testimonials

...From Our Littles and Parents

I love having a big sister because she helps me appreciate what people do for me, helps me to share with others, to work hard and never give up. She makes me happy and makes me feel a lot more confident in myself. I love my big sister. She is a very good friend and precious person to me.

- Little Brother

I would like to have a big brother or sister, my mother is ill and her health and financial position do not allow her to do a lot of things with me so having someone to have fun with will be good. (She is also single). - Little Brother on our Waitlist

I like having a big sister because you can talk about your problems at school or personal life with her. You can go to the movies or spend a day at the zoo with her or you can just hang out. You can go to her house and make lunch with her. I LOVE MY BIG SISTER!

- Little Sister

My daughters have exceptionally wonderful Big Sisters who are an essential model for their life. They teach my kids to handle properly the difficulties and stress that life brings. They became better people ? making our world a much better place to enjoy life. Big Sisters and Small sisters and all involved people around this meaningful program: Thanks so much!

- A Parent in our program

The reason I like having a big brother is because you can tell him of your emotions and if you're in a bad mood, they cheer you up. If you are bored and you're not having fun, you can always just call up your big brother and go and have a good time. These are the reasons why I love having a big brother. P.S. They are fun to have around.

- Little Brother

I love my big sister, she acts like a real sister. But a nice one. She is the funniest person in the world. We go to many places.

- Little Brother

I like having a big sister. The big sister that I was matched with has lots of similar interests. We have lots of fun going to movies, shopping or just spending time together. She is always there for me when I am sad or just want to talk. My big sister brings out the good in me and makes me feel good about myself. She is patient, kind and caring. I love my big sister.

- Little Sister

...And From Our Bigs

Being a Big Sister

By Jane E. Reddington

In the summer of 2002 I decided to pursue my interest in becoming a Big Sister. I spent a year getting to know Sean, a fun-loving nine-year-old who will always be my little sister. The year we spent together stands out in my mind for many reasons. Sean and I did many things together and as the months rolled by, I came to realize that time I shared with Sean had very little to do with the things I could provide as her Big Sister.

What stands out most in my memory is how much I grew the year I was with Sean. Before I met Sean, I'd only been living in Calgary for a year. I was anxious about driving to unfamiliar areas and my level of confidence was low. As much as I wanted to be a positive role model, I did not expect to experience so much internal learning and growth.

Sean helped me remember how much I had liked being a child. We went to the movies, went skating, drank hot chocolate and walked my dog. We took our shoes off on a summer day and walked along the bank of the river. With Sean for company, I remembered how much I liked colouring and making collages. I spent a lot of time driving to see Sean and over the course of the year I developed confidence that I could manage new situations, I could find my way with the map and I could lead us both to positive experiences.

We went on the rides at Heritage Park and swam in the wave pool at Southland Leisure Centre. I went on the waterslides for the first time in years and through it all, my time with Sean provided me with the chance to give back for all the gifts that I have been given in my life.

Being a Big Sister is an experience that I am very proud of doing. I had the opportunity to become friends with an exceptional young woman and I learned to take things more slowly, to worry less, and focus on having more fun. I learned to walk at a child?s pace, to see the world through the eyes of a nine-year-old and to trust that together with could find our way anywhere we wanted to go.

Being a big brother is the easiest volunteer gig going. I mean most guys are big kids at heart anyway; this is just another excuse for us to have fun! -Big Brother of the Year (2005), Dan McAffee

Seeing my mentee every Friday after lunch is something I look forward to all week. Once a week I get to be nine years old again. Whether we are cooking up something yummy in the kitchen, reading one of our favourite books in the library, or playing follow the leader all over the school, I always have a blast. Not only is it enjoyable for me, but I have witnessed my mentee go from shy and withdrawn to a confidant social butterfly! Seeing her face light up when I arrive at her classroom to pick her up and knowing what a huge difference I am making in her life is one of the most powerful feelings there is. -In School Mentor, Hayleigh Bird

I really had a great time with my two mentees this past year. It was fun, worthwhile, and not too time consuming. Mentoring is really easy to do and it has allowed me to keep on working with kids, which is my passion. My mentees have brought a lot of joy to my life and I really enjoy their company. -Between Generations Mentor, Lynn Nishimura