Spotlighting Kelly
Kelly is a teen mentor who’s been full circle from mentee to mentor at Big Brothers Big Sisters. Her journey with the organization began during the COVID-19 pandemic when she needed homework help. She was enrolled in then supported through the Homework Club.
Homework Club has a goal of increasing student success. The after-school mentoring program matches elementary students 1:1 with a teen mentor. During each program session, homework help is balanced with games and social activities. Through the program, literacy is strengthened as well as overall student success.
As a mentee in the program, Kelly says Homework Club did so much for her.
Then as she entered high school, the opportunity to become a youth mentor with Homework Club presented itself. Kelly was excited for the opportunity. “Mentoring was a way I could give back to an organization that has done so much for me,” she says.
It’s now been four years since Kelly became a teen mentor. In fact, she’s spent all her high school years volunteering with the Homework Club program after school. Her Big Brothers Big Sisters case managers celebrate Kelly, saying “she is reliable, flexible and willing to accommodate program needs, and personable while remaining professional.”
Kelly’s most fulfilled in the program by helping mentees learn. “My favourite memory: Teaching my mentee how to multiply and she had the biggest smile when she finally understood it,” she says. Kelly says volunteering in the program is worthwhile. “It might be hard sometimes, but it is always worth it to see how happy the mentees get when they understand the work they are doing.”
Big Brothers Big Sisters case managers shared, “Kelly is a strong advocate of empowering and supporting children and youth. She is also passionate about the opportunity to be a leader, having attended several leadership-centred conferences and courses.”
Kelly has grown with Big Brothers Big Sisters, and we’re glad to have been part of her journey. Kelly will be graduating high school soon and we’ll be excited to cheer her on in what’s next.
