For some students, taking up mentoring as a volunteer opportunity may seem intimidating. In reality, with the Big Brothers program, the task is a lot smaller than it looks and comes with big reward.
“One of the key things that I really love about volunteering is making the relationship with the community members as well as the Little Buddies. It’s just great having that connection and sharing your stories with each other,” Hazel, an In-School Mentor and former Teen Mentor, said.
Hazel was in high school when she decided to join Big Brothers at the recommendation from her volunteer-happy friends. It was the first time she decided to do anything like mentoring. Naturally, her nerves were kicking-in prior to the match.
“I was kind of nervous when they said you’re being a mentor. As a high school student, that sounded like a lot of responsibility on me, that I had to be the perfect person, because I’m with someone younger than me and they look up to me,” Hazel explained.
Meeting New Faces
Like most first encounters with someone new, the breaking the ice took a little bit of work, she said.
However, for just an hour every week, the two would gradually learn more and more things about each other and build a bond through playing games and planning activities to do within the school. After a while, her Little Buddy’s confidence grew and was able to open up and share all sorts of stories.
“In the end we had a really strong bond and connection and we really were like siblings,” she said.
Hazel went on to graduate from both the Teen Mentor program and high school with an experience under her belt that made her much more confident.
“When you’re in high school there’s so many uncertainties and insecurities that you’re going through and just having that someone that looks up to you is really an awesome feeling.”
New Beginnings
Starting a new chapter in her life, Hazel went to university. Despite being in that university environment, she still found a way to give some of her time to the community, volunteering in various places, one of which was a food hub in South Vancouver.
Recently, Hazel has begun looking into various career paths, teaching being the top contender. It was the time spent volunteering in Big Brothers Teen Mentoring Program that helped her remember what she really loves doing, building bonds and mentoring children.
In fact, she was so fond of the experience, she had to go back and do it again, this time in the In-School Mentoring program.
Even having done it before, Hazel still had those same nerves going back to being a mentor. She has even found her new Little faces many of the same challenges as her previous Buddy.
This time Hazel was equipped with more experience both and life and in mentorship.
She likes to leave her Buddy with these words, “You’re strong and you’re smart and no matter what happens, or whatever you’re going through, there’s always someone there for you.”
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