Spotlighting Laurie
When In-School Mentors show up, it’s often a young person’s favourite day at school.
For volunteer mentor Laurie, it’s been 13 school years of making an incredible impact in the program. Since, Laurie has been a mentor to four mentees – one match, a connection lasting six school years, with the others varying in length from 1-3 years.
The In-School Mentoring program takes place at school, during school hours, pairing young people experiencing any number of adversities in a 1:1 mentoring relationship. Together, mentors and mentees participate in games and activities, in a positive role model setting.
Laurie’s journey started with a passion to support young people who need it most. “I volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters In-School Mentoring so I could support children facing adversity,” she says.
“Mentoring is like a friendship to me. It involves kindness, support, companionship, empowerment and fun,” says Laurie. Some of Laurie’s favourite memories in the program are planning fun activities together with my Mentee.
Mentees, school contacts and case managers alike admire Laurie.
Michelle, Case Manager at Big Brothers Big Sisters, says, “Laurie is highly regarded as an invested and dedicated mentor who has provided unconditional support in all her mentoring relationships.” Even when mentees have been challenging, Laurie shows up, Michelle explained, saying, “She’s 100 per cent in!”
And showing up consistently means so much for young people, conveying they are important and valued, that someone truly cares.
Laurie thoroughly enjoys being a mentor, saying she would encourage others to volunteer because mentoring is very rewarding for everyone involved. “There are many positives for children such as being more connected to school and improved social skills. Mentors can watch their mentees grow and learn and can celebrate their achievements,” Laurie says.
“Laurie has shown exceptional commitment to her mentees – she’s very open, accepting, mindful in meeting mentee’s needs and interests,” says Michelle. Thank you Laurie for your amazing dedication and kindness as a volunteer mentor for 13 years and counting. We appreciate you.
