Annual Report2016

Message from our Executive Director and Board Chair 1

Board of Directors & Honourary Advisory Board 2

Vision, Mission and Impact 4

Match Highlights 8

Fundraising Highlights 14

Financials 16

Volunteer Awards 18

Donors 20

Letter from Little Sister Masha 24

What’s Inside

”As an immigrant family with no extended family in Canada, the Big Sister program has been a positive experience for our family. I would highly recommend this program to families who are immigrants or who have an only child. It will allow them to develop a nice relationship with a positive female role model!”

MOM OF LITTLE SISTER

In a world where girls’ self-esteem peaks at age nine, mentoring matters. At Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland, we have the great fortune of not only empowering girls to become confident and resilient, but also being witness to their growth. In 2016, our mentoring programs helped change the lives of 775 girls who are now on a path to reach their full potential, avoid risky behaviour and make healthy choices.

The impact of mentorship lasts a lifetime, but our Little Sisters also benefited from immediate improvements. With the help of a supportive female mentor, our Little Sisters have built confidence and tried new things they wouldn’t have otherwise been able to. For instance, 94% of our surveyed Little Sisters say they feel better about themselves since having a Big Sister and parents agreed. Nine Little Sisters were sent to the annual Tim Hortons camp where they got exposure to summer camp, something many kids

never get to experience. With the help of their Bigs and caseworkers, six Littles received the CIBC Youthvision Scholarship, which covers the full cost of post-secondary for four years.

Our 2016 fundraising surpassed our expectations. We were overwhelmed by the generosity of our Luminary Award Soirée guests and sponsors, who together raised $450,000, which is the highest amount raised to date since the inception of our gala event in 1991. Additionally, our inaugural Big Yoga for Big Sisters “yogathon” brought in $30,000 and 200 participants, setting a firm foundation to continue to grow the event into the future. In 2017, three Big Yoga for Big Sisters events will be held.

We are so fortunate to have the dedicated guidance from our Board of Directors whose engagement, leadership and talent have helped us strengthen our organization and plan for a thriving future. Our strategic planning process was collaborative and rewarding. We have identified the five pillars for our agency’s success through to 2020 and have begun implementing initiatives to enhance the delivery of quality programming, entrench healthy culture, optimize strategic partnerships, amplify brand and attain sustainable funding.

We couldn’t do this amazing work without our big-hearted volunteers, community partners and donors. Your contribution, whether in time or treasure is what allows us to positively change girls’ lives.

On the right pathMessage from our Executive Director and Board Chair

1#MENTORINGMATTERS

The right people on boardOur Board of DirectorsSusan Tomaine, ChairAmir Moghadasi, Vice-ChairWesley Marstaller, TreasurerShelley Parker, SecretaryDiane JangMartina Lee Deanna Louie

Jennifer MackenzieBarbara Meens ThistleLorna NimmonsLynda PhinneyCarol RobinsonDanielle VeldhuisKatie White

Our Honourary Advisory BoardKay Gray, ChairJanet AustinJoanne BrownMorna Creedon SileikaCharmaine CrooksGayla DehartEd Des RochesJill DiamondLisa EthansMargot JaggerDenise KarkkainenSarah McNeill

Tracey McVicarSusan MendelsonRenate M. MuellerShannon Newman-BennettKatie O’BrienLinda ParsonsMichelle RuppPatricia ShieldsRon SternCarmen S. ThériaultSheila Tucker

Our Honourary Advisory Board AlumniCatherine BoivieBarbara ConstantineShelley FerrisMarguerite FordGail HulnickLeslie LeeMargaret J. LivingstoneDarlene Marzari

Marion McAdamAnn MortifeeBeverly NannMarina PratchettThe Honourable Patricia ProudfootSuki TakagiAnna TerranaRoz Wishinski

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“The best thing about having a Big Sister is the company, it was hard for me to find friends and she made it feel like I had a friend and I know we’ll always be friends.”

LITTLE SISTER SHELAN

Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland Strategic Plan 2017 to 2020

Our Five Strategic Pillars

Attain Sustainable Funding

Ampl

ify B

rand

Entrench Healthy CultureDe

liver

Qua

lity Programming

$

Optim

ize Strategic Partnerships

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Our visionEvery child in the B.C. Lower Mainland who needs a mentor, has a mentor.

Our missionBig Sisters is committed to enhancing the confidence, self-esteem and well-being of girls through supportive relationships with female mentors.

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Proven solution, lasting impactIt can be tough out there. Big Sisters BCLM provides supportive mentoring relationships to young girls who may be facing challenges like bullying, isolation, poverty, abuse, social anxiety, low self-esteem and more.

Research shows that mentoring has a powerful impact on the lives of young girls. We know that 96 percent of adults who had a mentor as a child say they are happy and 92 percent feel confident.

Mentoring helps create safer schools and communities. Girls who have a positive mentor are less likely to engage in destructive behaviour such as bullying, fighting, binge drinking or drug use.

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Mentoring is a proven solution

The Solution: MentoringStudents who meet regularly with their

mentors are 52% less likely than their peers to skip a day of school and 37% less likely to

skip a class.

Girls are 2½X more likely to be confident in their ability to be successful at school

Girls are 4X less likely to bully, fight, lie or lose their temper.

Adults who had a mentor as a child are more likely to have a post-secondary education,

more likely to be employed and more likely to earn higher wages.

The Solution: MentoringGirls are 3 times less likely to have social

anxiety.

Girls who were mentored were 2 times less likely to be depressed.

Girls & boys were 2 times less likely to exhibit conduct problems with Boys showing a significant reduction in hyperactivity.

87% of adults who had a mentor in their youth report have strong social networks.

The ChallengeYouth who do not graduate from high school

are at a serious disadvantage in terms of personal and economic success.

The Challenge70% of mental health problems have their

onset during childhood or adolescence. Yet, less than 20% of Canadian children and

youth affected by mental illness will receive appropriate treatment.

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The Solution: Mentoring80% of adults who had a mentor said they

pursue a healthy lifestyles.

92% of adults who had a mentor feel confident and 96% say they’re happy.

100% of school representatives observed increased confidence in the girls who participated in the Go Girls! program.

82% of parents said they believe their daughter feels better about herself and is

more confident since being involved with Big Sisters.

The ChallengeSocial pressures for girls

to be perfect are at an all-time high.

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Since 1960, Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland has been changing the course of young girls’ lives. Our experienced caseworkers carefully match Little Sisters with female adult mentors who help them reach their full potential, avoid risky behaviour and make healthy choices. The Big Sisters programs have a profound impact on Little Sisters, and we’re pleased to say we supported 775 girls in 2016.

The Big Sisters program is a one-to-one mentorship that has a profound impact on Little Sisters. Last year, 328 Little Sisters benefitted from a Big Sister supporting them through these critical years.

The Study Buddy program is a weekly one-to-one mentoring relationship that focuses on school work. Little Sisters in this program not only improve their academics but also report a higher level of self-esteem.

Go Girls! is a group mentoring program for girls aged 11 to 14 that promotes the benefit of an active, healthy lifestyles. With social pressures to be perfect at an all-time high, girls in this program build the tools for confidence and self-awareness during these formative years.

Big Sisters

Mentoring

Study Buddy Mentoring

Go Girls! Group

Mentoring

Making matches

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2 years is the average length of a match in the Big Sister and Study Buddy programs

296 girls were in the Go Girls! Program

You helped us reach 775 girls in need of a positive mentor

328 girls were in the Big Sisters mentoring program and 70 new matches were made

151 girls were in the Study Buddy Program and 45 new matches were made

#MENTORINGMATTERS

The Go Girls! program is now in four school

districts in the Lower Mainland, including the

Surrey School District.

We formed a new partnership with Surrey SFU Community

Engagement to recruit more SFU community.

Go Girls! partnered with Morguard Coquitlam Center to host the “BeYou”

event. Over 100 girls participated and explored their creativity, self-expression,

uniqueness and healthy living. Big Sisters staff members and 20 Go Girls! volunteers

put on the event.

In the fall the Go Girls! program expanded our delivery model to neighbourhood houses. We

delivered our first Go Girls! session outside of a school setting at Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House.

We continue to look for community partnerships to ensure that our programs reach the girls who most need

them.

Go G

irls!

gro

up m

ento

ring

is gr

owin

g.

Making more matches

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We’re expanding into Surrey. Served 181 girls in Surrey, which is 47 more girls than the year before.

Transitioned three caseworkers to a new office in Surrey.

Decreased the Study Buddy waitlist for Little Sisters to a 1 to 2 month wait time.

Decreased the Big Sisters waitlist from 2 years to 1.3 years.

Increased the number of volunteers applying from the Surrey region and nearby communities of the Tri-Cities and Burnaby.

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Areas we serve.

North Van

Tri-Cities

BurnabyVancouver

Delta/SurreyRichmond

140 matches11 waitlisted

30 matches10 waitlisted

128 matches11 waitlisted

295 matches38 waitlisted

144 matches25 waitlisted

30 matches8 waitlisted

New West8 matches

1 waitlisted

Much more than fun

6 recipients of the CIBC Youthvision Scholarship.

3 Little Sisters attended the Youth in Office event with the National Office in Ottawa.

9 Little Sisters were sent to the Tim Hortons Camp.

Hosted workshops on diversity (through Qmunity) and post-secondary strategic planning for Littles.

Caseworkers participated in training with the Vancouver Aboriginal Child and Family Services Society.

The Bliss Fund supported Little Sisters’

activities and celebration of milestones including

a bowling birthday party for a Little Sister

with anxiety, dinner for 10-year match

anniversary, First Aid Course for a Little Sister

to participate in YMCA internship, and a Playland field trip for a match’s final

outing.

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Our matches took to the seas for our kayaking and sailing events.

This year’s Winterfest featured a mac’n’cheese and a hot chocolate bar. The matches enjoyed making mindfulness glitter jars as well as playing games.

Our annual Summer BBQ was well attended and the piñata was a big hit.

Our Surrey matches loved getting up close with some four legged friends at a horseback riding event.

Our Clothing Pop-Up and Swap in May was so successful it may become a yearly event.

Thanks to UPS Foundation for funding our 2016 activities committee! From our annual events to outdoor adventures, there was something for everyone.

#MENTORINGMATTERS

Big hearts and generous gifts

Luminary Award SoiréeThe room at the historic Fairmont Hotel Vancouver was alight with our

big-hearted community to celebrate mentoring at our 2nd annual Luminary Award Soirée, co-presented by RBC and the Peter & Joanne Brown Foundation. We honoured John Montalbano, Vice-Chair of RBC Wealth Management, whose far-reaching mentorship has changed

lives, with the 2016 Luminary Award. Guests enjoyed breathtaking opera, a delicious three-course meal, silent auction, and dancing—all in

the spirit of raising a record-breaking $450,000 for mentorship!

Spring LunchThe 20th Annual Spring Lunch raised $68,500 in support of our Big Sisters

mentoring programs. Over 250 guests had an opportunity to network during the champagne reception before being seated for the luncheon emceed by CTV’s Keri Adams.

The programming included the annual Big Heart Awards, a touching testimonial given by Big Sister Eugenea Couture and keynote

presentation “The Power to Overcome” by the indominable Rumana Monzur.

Big Yoga for Big SistersOn Saturday, September 10th Big Yoga for Big Sisters participants gave us

their best bridge, pigeon and warrior poses while raising a grand total of $30,000 for Big Sisters!

This inaugural event held at Jonathan Rogers Park celebrated the importance of being active and mindful, and allowed us to provide 15

girls with a supportive mentor.

Namaste!

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The impact of mentoring lasts a lifetime. That’s the story our new testimonial video tells. We followed Big Sister Richelle and Little Sister Susan as they were reunited after 25 years. See our Big Sisters changed their lives on our YouTube channel.

https://www.youtube.com/user/BigSistersBCLM

Why does it cost $2,000 to make and support a Big Sisters match for one year? We get asked that question A LOT, so we decided to let animation tell the story. You can find the new video on our YouTube channel.

GrapeJuiceWe clinked glasses and uncorked with our friends at MLA Canada and McNeill Nakamoto Recruitment Group who raised $85,000 at the annual GrapeJuice wine auction.

Golf for Good

The annual Golf for Good tournament raised $37,000 for our mentoring programs. Its “driving” force? Tracey McVicar of CAI Funds!

Big Sisters Legacy CircleWe launched the Big Sisters Legacy Circle giving our supporters the opportunity to provide long term sustainable funding by leaving a gift in their Will. Since its launch, Big Sisters BCLM has received more than $100,000 in bequests.

3rd Party EventsThe fun in “fun”draising continued with our 3rd party events that included a Fall Fête, champagne and sparkling wine tastings, jewelry trunk shows, marathons, lemonade for littles, the CWB Greater Interest Campaign, a lawyers’ dinner, and more. Learn more about hosting a fundraising event on our website: https://www.bigsisters.bc.ca/host-a-fundraising-event/

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By the numbers

2016 RevenueEvents Revenue $ 716,885

Donations $ 456,985

Grants $ 194,138

Gaming $ 150,000

Interest Income $ 9,726

$ 1,527,734

2016 ExpendituresAmortization $ 16,225

Audit $ 15,408

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada $ 17,684

Events Expense $ 138,303

Fundraising Expenditures $ 22,570

General and Administrative $ 72,730

Insurance $ 13,903

Little Sisters Activities $ 47,336

Salaries and Contract Costs $ 1,037,373

Travel $ 19,389

Volunteer Recognition $ 6,177

Write Off of Property and Equipment $ 8,483

$ 1,415,581

Excess of Revenues over Expenditures $ 112,153

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“My Big Sister really changed my perspective about what I could achieve. I never really thought I could get a higher education or travel or achieve any of the things I thought were dreams until I saw my Big Sister living them.”

LITTLE SISTER ERIN

Each year, we recognize three outstanding volunteers and supporters who go above and beyond to champion mentoring.

They show up when it counts, go the extra mile and inspire others to do the same. We’re honoured to present the Big Heart Awards to:

Corporate Supporter

United Way Lower Mainland

Outstanding Volunteer

Morna Creedon Sileika

Outstanding Volunteer Mentor

Tina Thorne

Volunteer Hours

When you add it all up, our volunteers have dedicated eight-years’ worth of time in just one year!

Big Sisters: 51,168 hours

Study Buddy: 11,778 hours

Go Girls!: 2,475 hours

Casual Volunteers: 2,117 hours

Total volunteer hours: 69,498Top: Big Heart Award winner United Way Lower Mainland representatives, Stephen Webster and Kim Winchell,

with Susan Tomaine. Middle: Susan Tomaine with Big Heart Award winner, Morna Creedon Sileika.

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Because they care

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We can’t accomplish the important work we do without the dedication of our volunteers.

Join us in celebrating the following individuals for their commitment and enthusiasm for mentoring!

15 Years

Glenda Morin

10 Years

Annamaija Irvine

Gurmay MacDonald

Kathryn Bass

Megan Braun

Michelle Pruss

Monica Li

Sharon Steele

Susan Dick

Susan Tomaine

Tina MacLeod

Aidan Miller

Allison Henze

Amanda Kung

Amanda Welschlau

Amandeep Kullar

Anita Manhas

Blair Macdonald

Claire MacKenzie

Diane Wild

Elizabeth Gross

Emily Churchyard

Fabiola Zefi

Gail Marks

Heather Burek

Jacqueline Hamlin

Jacqueline Quiroz

Jane Chow

Joty Grewal

Karina Nagy

Kindra Stowe

Kristyn Stilling

Lachlan Dorey

Lori O'Connell

Melody Johnson

Mona Patel

Natasha Lal

Rebecca Kensley

Robin Kort

Sarah Lowther

Sharanpreet Chana

Sonia Bal

Sonya Grandic

Stephanie Parker

Tammy Johannson

Tejinder Johal

Vanna Bailey

Vincci Li

Randi Gustafson

Rhiann Conyers

Robin McInnis

Rosa Shih

Rosemary Cooke

Samantha Scigliano

Sara Ahmadian

Sara Williamson

Sarah Joosse

Shauna Wilton

Tara Rahiman

Valerie Hlady

5 Years

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Visionary ($50,000+)Bell Media (GIK) | The Province of British Columbia | Peter & Joanne Brown The River Foundation | United Way of the Lower Mainland

Champion ($25,000 - $49,999)CKNW Orphan's Fund | News1130 (GIK) | The R & J Stern Family Foundation The UPS Foundation | City of Vancouver | Windsor Plywood Foundation

Believer ($10,000 - $24,999)The 1988 Foundation - Lotte & John Hecht Foundation Beedie Development Group | Boeing Canada-Aeroinfo | Michael Borden Canadian Western Bank | Deans Knight Capital Management | Diamond Foundation Face the World Foundation | Family Services of Greater Vancouver | Denise Karkkainen The Lutsky Families | Manulife Financial | Marlow Hesson Wealth Partnership Group | Cynthia Miles John Montalbano | Norton Rose Fullbright Canada LLP | Phillips, Hager & North | RBC Wealth Management Sauder School of Business - UBC | Scotiabank | Silver Wheaton A.E. (Ted) and Deanna M. Turton Charitable Foundation | Vancouver Aboriginal Child and Family Services Society Amir & Yasmin Virani Family Foundation | Matthew Wood

Match Maker ($2,000 - $9,999)Adventus Capital Partners | Air Canada Community Investments (GIK) | Alexander, Holburn, Beaudin & Lang Ames Family Foundation | Andrew Mahon Foundation | Christina Anthony | Avanade Canada Inc BC Business Magazine (GIK) | David Beck | Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP | Val & Dick Bradshaw | Mike Brankston City of Burnaby | Dr. Ron Burnett | Capital West Mortgage Inc | Cedarhurst Foundation | Ben Cherniavsky Chill Winston (GIK) | Clark Wilson LLP | Marlene Cohen | Connect-Cash Services Inc Connor, Clark & Lunn Foundation | Constellation Brands | Credential Asset Management | Gayla and John DeHart Paul Del Rossi | Kevin De Sousa | Dilawri Group of Companies (GIK) | Dixon Mitchell Investment Counsel Inc DLA Piper | EY | Fasken Martineau DuMoulin, LPP | Marguerite Ford | Brenda Gershkovitch | Ruston Goepel Grante Goodwyn | Grant Thornton LLP | Kay Gray | The Greygates Foundation | Grosvenor Canada Ltd The Hamber Foundation | Harbour West Consulting | Heather Hesson | HNW Services Inc | The ILLAHIE Foundation Ironwood Dental | ivivva | JOEY Restaurant Group | Salim Karim | Jodi Kelleher | Phil Kern Kiwanis Club of Vancouver | KPMG LLP | L'abattoir Restaurant | Anthony Lanni | Lohn Foundation | Michael Low Mira and Soleil Lutsky | Jennifer Mackenzie | Donald MacPherson | Hanif Mamdani | Marquis Wine Cellars Inc Wesley Marstaller | Mathisen Family Private Foundation | Marjan Mazaheri | McCarthy Tetrault Foundation

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts

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“It is a great feeling to know

that through the Go Girls! program you can empower girls and help them gain more confidence.”

GO GIRLS! MENTOR

McMillan LLP | Tracey McVicar | Media One (GIK) | Susan Mendelson and Jack Lutsky Merchant Advance Capital Ltd | Metropolis at Metrotown | Judith Mewhort Shannon and Brad Newman-Bennett | The Corporation of the City of North Vancouver The Corporation of the District of North Vancouver | North Vancouver Kiwanis Foundation | ONNI Group Linda Parsons | Pivotal Projects | Plum Clothing Ltd | PNG Enterprise Foundation | Primex Investments Ltd Promosa Management Inc (GIK) | PurAthletics (GIK) | Raymond James Canada Foundation | RBC Foundation Kristopher Rennie | City of Richmond | Lisa Ridgedale | Ken and Patricia Shields Shoppers Drug Mart LIFE Foundation | Doug Stadelman | Jonathan Stewart | TELUS Corporation Carmen S. Thériault | Deanna Turton | The Vancouver Courier (GIK) | Van Tel/Safeway Credit Union Legacy Fund Vela Wealth Management | ViRTUS | West Vancouver Community Foundation | Damon Williams The Wolrige Foundation | Colin Yu

Friend ($25 - $1,999)Cathy Adam | Keri Adams | Advent Real Estate Services Affinity Medical Clinic | Shana Alexander | Karim Amlani | Alissa Antle Suzanne Anton | Aqua Vac Sewer & Drain Ltd Aquilini Village Holdings Ltd | Siobhan Aspinall | Mary Aubrey Janet Austin and Ashley Chester | Avro Candy Warehouse Inc | Kelly Bach Catherine L. Backman | Elly Bahrami | Heather Ballachey Sharon Bardsley | BC Housing Management Commission | Aron Bekaru Carolyn Bishop | Georgia L. Black | Tara Blanchet | William Blume BLVD Marketing Group | The Bogdens | Zara Boldt | Kristen Bond Kinji & Laura Bourchier | Sonia Bozzi | Joyelle Brandt | Emily and Megan Braun Liam Briggs | Cathy Brown | Jillian Bryan | Cicely Bryce | Morgan Burris Sandra Cameron | Canadian Federation of University Women - Coquitlam Kandrice Cantwell | Lisa Carver | Jacky Chan | Nona Chow | Colleen Ciccozzi | CLA Consulting Inc. | Brent Clark Rosalie Clark | Sarah Clark | Tara Clarke | Coast Capital Savings Credit Union | Roxana Colquhoun | Caren Cook Russell Cook | Fleur Cooper | Stephen Curran | Abby Dacho | Stephanie Daniels | Andrea Davies | Nicola Demens | Maryn Dempster | Dee Dhaliwal | Louise Dickman | Jill Donaldson | Claudia Duffield | Kate Dunford | Lisa Eason Eire Born Irish Dance Society | Nadine Elder | Joyce English | Iva Erceg | Lisa Ethans | David Eyre | Jessica Farrell Karen Fergus | Janice Fingler | Jennifer Fitzgerald | Christina Florencio | Donald Forbes Freedom Boat Club of British Columbia Ltd. | FS Financial Strategies Inc | Tina Fusco | Deb Gale | Vanessa Gale Ashley Garib | Ivan Gasoi | Darin Germyn | Eli Gershkovitch | Krista Gerty | Liz Gibbeson | Katherine Gibson Deidre Gill | Jagjit Gill | Robin Gill | Theoni Gill | Glazier Rothwell Family Foundation | Meryl Glotman Bill Gordon | Christie Graham | Cathy Grant | Isabel Grant | Ryan Grant | Leigh Green | Raymond Greenwood Kerri Gregory | Navdeep Grewal | Bruce Grist | Frances Grunberg | Teanny Hall | Basia Hamata | Sally Haxthow

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“The best part about being with my Big Sister is that she gives me a lot of courage.”

LITTLE STUDY BUDDY SKYDANCER

Friend ($25 - $1,999) continued...

James Helliwell | Helping Hands Club of the Workers Compensation Board | Robert Helsley | Jason Herbert Margaux Herder | Ashton Herriott | Heather Hesson | Diane Hodgins | Jessica Hoffman | Barbara Horton Mike Howcroft | Sheryl Hunt | ICBC | Intracorp Belpark Ltd. Partnership | Julie Isaac | Azim Jamal | Diane Jang Jenna Jangalee | Kirsten Jenkins | Sharon Jeroski | John Hardie Mitchell Family Foundation | Kara Yoo Creative Andrea Kastanis | KCI Ketchum Canada | The Keg Steakhouse & Bar - Surrey/Delta | Karin Kemeny | Tara Kemes Phyllis Kenney | Marilyn R. Kent | Phil Kern | Richard Ketchen | Jeevan Khunkhun | Cheryl L. Killam Grace Kim | Kinder Morgan Foundation | Susanne Kingshott | Carol Kline | Oliver Knaus | Patricia Ko | Maddi Koop Beverley Kort | Kimberly Kuntz | Ladies Auxiliary to the Clover | Andrée Lalonde | Diana Lam | Susanna Lam Jerry Landry | Jennifer Larsen | Kevin Layden | The Lazy Gourmet | Alexa Lee | Carol Lee | Martina H. Lee Tami Lee | Yvonne Lee | Heather Lehmann | Leola Purdy Foundation | Patrizia Leone-Mitchell | Winnie Leong Brooke Lewis | Jocelyn Lewis | Eliza Li | Vincci Li | Kathy Lilyholm | Mary Little | Helen Lo | Deanna Louie Bonnie Low | Penny Lusztig | Marigold Lyall | Joanne R. Lysyk | Jennifer MacDonald | Katherine MacIntosh Larkin Mackenzie-Ast | Graham MacLachlan | Bill & Jana Maclagan | Andrew MacNeil | Mark Marlow Martha Martindale | Ivone Martins | Michele Mason | Yuki Matsuno | Celina Mau | Elizabeth Mayer Sarah McAlpine | Vickie McDonnell | Don McDougall | Cheryl McEachern | Karmen McKellar Sandra & Steven McKoen | Peggy McLernon | Charlie McPinto | Tracey McVicar | Lorraine Meltzer Philippe Mendelson | Suzanne Mercier | Katy Merrifield | Judith Mewhort | Karen Michie | Dave Mitchell Amir Moghadasi | Donna Moore | Sean Moore | Monica Morgan | Ann Mortifee Mt. Pleasant War Memorial Co-operative Association | Ronald Munaweera | Maxwell and Gaylene Munday Evi Mustel | Rick Narang | Jo-Anne M. Naslund | Richard Neal | Larry Neilson | Patricia Newton | Jaslyn Nguyen Deborah Nicols | Cathy Nidoski | Lorna Nimmons | Sharon Norris Caroline North | Nancy Nowlan | Nurse Next Door Home Care Services Kathy O’Donoghue | Esther Oh | Amanda O’Reilly | David Owen James Painter | Janette Pantry | Laura Parfrey | Park Shore BMW Shelley Parker | Alison Parry | Michael Pascas | Susan Paul Rochelle Pauls | Paula Pepin | Loring Phinney | Arlene Picard Simon Pimstone | Erica Pinsky Provincial Employees Community Services Fund | Lana Pulver R.C. Purdy Chocolates Ltd. | Agi Radcliff | Vera Radyo | Sheila Randall Christine Raphael-Deras | Dylan Reece | Mary Reeves Lee Rennison and Dave Plunkett | Marc Ricou | Rockridge Ventures Inc. Maria Rodrigues | Tara Rogers | Deborah Roitberg | Jeanette Roitberg Claudio Rosa | Patricia Rose | Gail Ruddy | Mary Ruhl | Michelle Rupp and Neil de Gelder | Zulie Sachedina | Debra Saimoto | Laura Saimoto

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts

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“Big Sisters is the best program for youth that need a mentor, it helps so many young

girls as they make their way through a world dominated

by social pressures and social media.”

BIG SISTER RITA

Alexa Salter | Sandy’s Furniture | Kristian Sawkins | Korgae Scales | Scorpion Technologies Ltd. Scotiabank Vancouver Half Marathon & 5k | Aimee Seto | The Eve & Ben Sevack Foundation | Chris Sherry Rena E. Siddall | Morna K. Sileika | Jodie Siu | Lisa Skakun | Valerie Smaller | Noralyn Smiley | Richard E. Smith Kirsten Snell | V Marlene Soby | Soroptimist International of North & West Vancouver | STAT Search Analytics StennerZohny Investment Partners + Richardson GMP Limited | Marley Stevens | Nigel Stewart | Mary Stojcevski Jane Stoller | Liisa Stover | Gisa Straith | Kayla Strong | Gail Sumanik | Sunrise Soya Foods | Suki Takagi Christine Tamaki | Jennifer Tater | Corinne Taylor | Charissa Tehrani | Marion Tennant | Rose Terzariol Tracy Theemes | Themis Solutions Inc. | Brittany Tiplady | Brenda Tole | Susan Tomaine | Tania Tomaszewska Shauna Towriss | Travelers Community Connections | Jennifer Trost | Nancy Trott | Karen A. Truscott Sheila Tucker | David Turner | Lucy Twohig | United Parcel Service Canada Ltd. | Urban Impact Recycling Ltd. Vancouver Foundation | Praveen Varshney | Sarah Vollett | Liza Volpiana | Margaret Voth | Tracy Vugrinec Joelle Walker | Vivian Walker | W.J. (Bae) Wallace (In Memory) | Stella Wang | Laura West The Corporation of the District of West Vancouver | Cheryl Westgard | Westshore Terminals | Stephanie Weterings Nancy Whitlaw | Kelly Wilcox | Carol Wilkie | Shauna Wilton | Carmen Wiseman | Richard Wittstock | Gillian Wong Grace Wong | WenDee Wong | Kelly Woodall | Cynthia Woodward | Rozelle Young | Zazou Salon and Spa

This document uses icons courtesy of flaticon.com. 23

Big Sisters BCLM programming is proudly supported by:

“I feel like I have truly gained a real little sister. Seeing her grow into an inspiring young woman has been wonderful and knowing that I have made a positive contribution to her life is

priceless. I’m so grateful to have met her and know that our friendship will last a lifetime.”

BIG SISTER HEIDI

Dear Big Sisters supporters:

My Big Sister, Martina, is a huge part of my earliest memories—we’ve been matched since I was eight. Eleven years later and that relationship is closer and stronger than ever before.

Being one of two kids raised by a single, immigrant, super-mom, there wasn’t much attention to go around, nor did she have a very good understanding of the things I’d have to go through growing up in Vancouver.

Martina was a huge proponent of volunteering together, which really helped shape my passion for working with people to help create a better community. She has nurtured that passion of mine for the last eleven years, and guided me towards opportunities and connections I never thought would be possible. That nurturing and encouragement that came so naturally to her, shaped me to be a young leader with an immense passion to guide and help others in return.

My life could have gone the wrong direction so easily, but the most important thing to me growing up was that someone believed in me, and someone was willing to show up for me.

Today, I am beyond excited to say that I will be pursuing my Bachelor’s Degree in Child and Youth Care come September. Supporting me with this endeavour will be the CIBC YouthVision Scholarship that I was awarded in 2013 for my extensive passion and involvement in the community. In the meantime, I balance supervising a team with Starbucks while also working as Programs Intern with Big Sisters. I am tremendously proud of all of my accomplishments in my rather short lifetime, and I credit Martina with having helped me develop the skill set that has gotten me to where I am now.

Absolutely none of this would have been possible without the endless support of our volunteers and sponsors, so for that I am truly grateful. With your support, Big Sisters puts hundreds of young girl’s lives on the right track by matching them with someone who will always show up.

Sincerely,

Little Sister Masha

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Head Office34 East 12th Avenue Vancouver, BC V5T 2G5

P: 604-873-4525 F: 604-873-2122

info@bigsisters.bc.ca

Surrey Office #12-15355 102A Avenue Surrey, BC V3R 7K1

Charitable Registration Number11880 9409 RR 0001

@BigSistersBCLM #MentoringMatters