Mentoring Matters Blog

Mentoring Kids Aged 7-10 vs 11-17 in Vancouver: What to Expect (2026)

A seven-year-old and a sixteen-year-old require fundamentally different approaches from a mentor. This guide covers the developmental differences between the two age groups served by Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver’s … Read more

How Volunteering with Children Develops Emotional Intelligence in Vancouver (2026)

Emotional intelligence develops through repeated, real-world practice, not through instruction alone. Mentoring a young person through Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver gives volunteers weekly opportunities to build empathy, self-awareness, emotional … Read more

How Volunteering Improves Active Listening and Empathy (2026)

Active listening and empathy aren’t fixed personality traits,  they’re skills that develop through sustained, relational practice. Mentoring a young person through Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver provides exactly that: weekly, … Read more

Why Young Adults Are Turning to Volunteer Mentoring

Young adults across Metro Vancouver are looking for more than just side jobs and social events, they’re searching for ways to make a tangible impact. For many, volunteer mentoring meets … Read more

Using Volunteer Experience in Job Interviews: A Guide (2026)

Turn Your Mentorship Experience Into Interview Success Youth mentorship develops skills that Metro Vancouver employers actively seek: communication, reliability, adaptability, and emotional intelligence. Whether you’re applying for positions in tech, … Read more

Volunteering for Back to School Season

Quick summary: This guide covers what volunteer mentoring looks like across a Metro Vancouver school year, which Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver programs run on a weekday schedule, and how … Read more

Summer Volunteer Programs for Adults

Summer in Metro Vancouver opens up mentoring possibilities that the school year doesn’t. Longer days, more flexible adult schedules, and a wider range of outdoor activities make it a practical … Read more

Youth Mentorship Benefits in Vancouver: Building Stronger Futures (2026)

Youth Mentorship Creates Lasting Benefits in Metro Vancouver Youth mentorship programs provide young people across Metro Vancouver with supportive relationships that strengthen confidence, expand skills, and open new opportunities. Whether … Read more

Volunteering and Mental Health in Vancouver: What the Research Shows (2026)

The connection between volunteering and mental health is one of the more consistently supported findings in wellbeing research. For adults in Metro Vancouver, mentoring a young person through Big Brothers … Read more

Why Do People Leave Clothes at the BMO Marathon?

Quick answer: Runners wait in the corrals for a long time on a cool May morning, and nobody wants to carry a hoodie through 42.2 kilometres. So the layers come … Read more

Why Do Runners Drop Clothes at the Vancouver Sun Run?

Quick answer: Runners layer up against a cool April morning at the Vancouver Sun Run, then shed those layers at the start line rather than carry them for 10K. The … Read more

How Big Brothers Provides a Great Way to Give Back

Volunteering with Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver offers a unique opportunity to positively influence the lives of young individuals. Through various mentorship programs, volunteers can engage in meaningful relationships that … Read more

Scroll to Top