Big help

BY STACIE GAETZ | PHOTOS BY KRISTY REIMER Big Impact:

Big Brothers Big Sisters brings people together to brighten futures

Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) Airdrie is creating relationships that help young people become resilient and give them the confidence to achieve more.

“Our programs create and nurture one-on-one developmental relationships between young people in our communities who are facing adversity and mentors who encourage them to develop resiliency,” says Gurpreet Lail, president and CEO of BBBS of Calgary and Area.

“These developmental relationships focus on expressing care, challenging growth, providing support, sharing power and expanding possibilities for our Littles that help them reach their full potential.”

“I believe we all have the ability to create that impact as individuals and it’s very cool to be a part of the cycle”

BBBS programming is available in Calgary, Airdrie, Cochrane and Okotoks. In Airdrie, BBBS offers community-based mentoring and inschool mentoring.

In the last five years, BBBS has served 431 matches in seven different programs. They currently have 22 active matches in Airdrie.

Lail says current demand for the programs has never been higher, in part due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the demand for mentors more than ever, as children face compounded adversity caused by isolation and uncertainty that has greatly impacted mental health in our children and youth,” she says.

“We believe that isolation does not have to equal loneliness and … it really proved to our community that the foundation of mentorship is the affinity and rapport between two individuals and does not require a physical space to flourish.”

Little Sister

Fourteen-year-old Aurora Lasante has been in the BBBS program in Airdrie for two years and has been paired with her Big Sister Ainsley Wilkinson for a year.

“We do so much; we cook and bake, do fun activities, sing a lot, play board games, do outdoor activities, go to new places, and sometimes we just talk,” she says.

Wilkinson and Lasante meet about once a week for roughly three hours. Lasante says her favourite part of having a Big Sister is the opportunity to try new things and meet new people that she otherwise wouldn’t interact with.

“It’s a great program,” Lasante adds.

The two take part in a number of activities including going on hikes, watching TV, walking dogs, going to the library, doing crafts and even taking part in charity events and initiatives.

Heidi, Aurora’s mom, says her daughter became involved with BBBS through an in-school program at C.W. Perry.

“Aurora is an only child and had recently become part of single parent households, and she struggled with the new situation,” Heidi says.

“I was hopeful that Aurora would be matched with a positive person that would focus on her and help her develop new interests as she had become less outgoing and involved in community activities.”

She adds that match between Aurora and Wilkinson has been a perfect fit.

“Once Aurora was matched and she met Ainsley, she was thrilled,” Heidi says.

“Ainsley and Aurora have many shared interests, but Ainsley has also helped Aurora expand her interests and try new things that she now enjoys.”

She adds that having a Big Sister throughout the COVID lockdown was a great distraction with regular Zoom calls where Wilkinson and Aurora would bake together and play games.

Big Sister

Wilkinson has been a Big Sister for one year and says she was drawn to the program because she is passionate about leading and mentoring others.

“I have a lot of life experience and perspective to share and have overcome my own adversities. I wanted the opportunity to share even a little bit of what I’ve learned with someone else, particularly someone who is still developing and learning,” says Wilkinson, 31.

She adds that the experience has taught her a lot, including the challenges young people face these days.

“While I may have not experienced the exact same thing she’s going through, I can share my perspective and learn from her too,” she says.

Wilkinson says she has a blast with Aurora when they spend time together.

“I also love the concept of improving the community of Airdrie and area one person at a time,” she adds.

“If Aurora and I connect and make each other better people, then we’re going to be even that much better when we interact with those around us, and be a positive influence on them too and in turn make them better people. I believe we all have the ability to create that impact as individuals and it’s very cool to be a part of the cycle.”

Wilkinson adds that when she tells people she is a Big Sister, many people ask her when she has the time to fit it in.

“While everyone is different and we each have our own interests and obligations, I encourage everyone to find even a small amount of time in a week or month (every little bit helps) to find something that improves the world around us,” she says in response.

The Numbers

Lail says BBBS is in need of more mentors as they have 22 children who are waiting for a mentor in Airdrie, at an average of 12 years old. The waitlist is composed of 28 per cent females and 72 per cent males, she adds.

Mentorship helps children realize their full potential, by developing resiliency and confidence that creates opportunity for higher incomes, higher esteem, achievements, better health and belonging, she says.

In fact, analysis done in Airdrie on the BBBS school program this June found a positive shift in all of these skills. According to Lail, the most visible in the changed capabilities of the Littles was the ability to interact with others in a positive manner and show respect and tolerance.

“All of these skills help our Littles become more resilient, which broadens their horizons,” says Lail.

“By empowering these kids, mentors ultimately pave the way for them to become successful, productive change makers within our community.”life