I VOLUNTEER: A big friendship
Alisa Smith (right) stood proudly by Steffanie’s side when she graduated high school.
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Richmond residents Alisa Smith & Steffanie found a strong friendship through the Big Sisters program—and they hope to inspire more Richmond women to volunteer!
Big Sisters of B.C. Lower Mainland currently has several young girls living in Richmond who are excitedly waiting to be matched with a Big Sister mentor or Study Buddy tutor.
Richmond Little Sister Steffanie was matched with her Big Sister Alisa Smith in Dec. 2003 when she was 13. More than five years later, Steffanie and Alisa’s Big and Little Sister friendship is still going strong.
During their years together, this Big and Little Sister match have gone through many of life’s ups and downs together, and just last year, Alisa stood proudly by Steffanie’s side when she graduated high school.
In addition to being a Big Sister, Alisa also volunteers on the Big Sisters Speaker Bureau, which hosts Information Sessions and does talks in the community to encourage women to become volunteer mentors in Big Sisters’ Big & Little Sister program or Study Buddy tutoring program. As a member of the Speakers Bureau, Alisa is often asked why she wanted to become a Big Sister. “I wanted to become a Big Sister to be able to give back. Growing up I had so many fantastic older women as role models and really wanted to be that for a girl, like a ‘pay it forward’ kind of thing,” says Alisa. “I would say the best thing about being a Big Sister is that you are reminded of what it is like to be a ‘kid’ and be able to help guide and support them.”
Big Sisters of B.C. Lower Mainland is looking for new Big Sister and Study Buddy volunteers.
If you are a woman, age 19 or older (no upper age limit!), who is interested in becoming a volunteer mentor, visit www.bigsisters.bc.ca or call 604-873-4525 ext. 300 for more information.
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I Volunteer
•To find other volunteer opportunities, visit www.volunteerrichmond.ca or call Volunteer Richmond Information Services at 604-279-7020.
•I Volunteer is a feature in The Richmond Review profiling volunteers and opportunities.
