KATIE – IN SCHOOL MENTOR
What inspired you to become a volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Windsor Essex?
What inspired me to become a big sister in the big brother’s big sister’s program was the simple love for working with children. This love expanded tremendously after meeting and connecting with my mentee. Positive change in someone’s life starts with a meaningful connection. Now being older I know how important it to have someone who believed in you, listened to you and encouraged your dreams while growing up. Being consistent and a caring role model shifts how a child sees themselves and their future. I firmly believe that mentorship could change the course of someone’s life. In becoming a Big Sister, my hope was not just to guide but also to learn and grow. If I can make even one young person feel more confident, valued, or inspired, then that would be incredibly rewarding.
What are some of your favourite activities to do with your Mentee/Little?
Some of my favourite activities to do with Quinn are different crafts related to the upcoming holiday or season. And of course, days where we simply sit and talk about anything and everything.
What is one memory with your Mentee/Little that still makes you smile?
One memory that always makes me smile is an Easter egg hunt that I was able to plan for Quinn in the school yard. I hid 30 eggs, each with a different little prize inside, and it was just the cutest thing watching her run around, searching for them with so much joy. She was smiling the entire time, totally excited every time she would spot an egg, and at the end she couldn’t wait to open them all and see what was inside. Seeing her that happy made the moment so special and reminded me how rewarding it is to create fun, meaningful experiences for kids.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about becoming a mentor with BBBSWE?
I’d recommend becoming part of Big Brothers Big Sisters because it’s a beautiful opportunity to be a source of stability in a child’s life who might need it the most. Sometimes, all it takes is being a friend, someone they can laugh with, have fun with, and still feel safe enough to confide in. Kindness is the truest form of beauty. Being able to give back, even in small amounts, means you’re lucky. Lucky to have the chance to make someone feel valued, cared for and positively impacted by actions you may view as small. I feel lucky to experience the growth this role brings, the kind you never quite expect until you’re in it.