Sometimes, it starts with something small.
A mentor showing up consistently. A conversation during the school day. An afternoon spent trying something new. Or simply asking, “How was your day?” and genuinely wanting to hear the answer.
These moments may seem Little, but over time, they can have a Big impact.
For a young person, having a consistent, caring adult in their corner can make a meaningful difference. That’s the power of mentorship, and it’s what Big Brothers Big Sisters has been creating in communities like yours across the country for decades.
The power of showing up
Growing up comes with plenty of questions: Who am I? Where do I belong? What do I want for my future?
Having a trusted adult to navigate those questions with can make all the difference.
Across Canada, Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies connect young people with mentors who are there to listen, encourage and build a genuine relationship. With ongoing training and support from agency staff, mentors spend just a few hours each month with their match, creating space for connection and helping that young person feel supported as they grow.
One mentor from Surrey, BC. described their recent experience:
"My match with my little sister has shown me how powerful simply showing up can be. I’ve learned that sometimes just listening and being there means more than offering any kind of advice." -Mentor from Surrey, B.C.
Mentorship isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about being present and allowing space for a young person to be themselves.
Over time, those moments can help young people build the confidence to see new possibilities for themselves. Together, the mentor and the mentee make life bigger.
When Little moments become Big possibilities
Behind a young person who made the team, tried something new, graduated or found the confidence to speak up, there may have been someone who encouraged them along the way.
That’s what makes mentorship so powerful. A relationship that begins with a Little moment can grow into something that stays with a young person long after that moment has passed.
And the impact is reflected in what young people tell us about their mentoring relationships.
This past year, Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring relationships positively impacted over 31,000 young people across Canada. Among mentees:
98%
said their mentor shows them they matter.
94%
said their mentor helps them complete tasks and achieve goals.
99%
said their mentor treats them with respect and creates opportunities for them to take action and lead.
93%
said their mentor encourages them to do their best.
These numbers give us a glimpse into what mentorship can make possible. Behind each percentage are individual relationships and experiences: young people building confidence, discovering their voice, feeling more connected and seeing new possibilities for their future.
And the impact reaches beyond individual relationships. Every $1 invested in Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring pays society back $3**, creating value that extends to families, communities and society as a whole.
These are the moments that numbers can’t fully capture, but they are at the heart of what mentorship makes possible.
Now is the time to Make Life Bigger
September is Big Brothers Big Sisters Month, a time to celebrate the mentors, volunteers, staff, parents, donors and partners who make these relationships possible, and to invite more Canadians to be part of the impact.
For adults aged 18 and older, becoming a mentor is one way to Make Life Bigger for a young person. There are other ways to get involved, too; by donating, volunteering, advocating for youth mentorship or by helping spread the word.
Because making life bigger doesn’t always require a big gesture.
It can start with a Little bit of time. A Little encouragement. A Little listening. A Little showing up to change someone’s life.
This September, during Big Brothers Big Sisters Month, discover how you can Make Life Bigger for a young person.
**Big Brothers Big Sisters of America 2025 Landmark Study, with Harvard University and the U.S. Department of Treasury