By Chantelle Krish, Chief Executive Officer, Big Sisters of B.C. Lower Mainland
I am fortunate to have a strong network of mentors, sponsors, and champions who helped me throughout my career. And I would guess that none of them would be where they are without the support of a mentor, either formal or informal. Mentors shape who are in so many ways, encouraging us to dream big, define and pursue our goals and face obstacles head on. This is the work of Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland. We foster relationships, between girls and youth ages 7-17 and the female mentors who show up for them week after week, year after year. We recognize that for girls, non-binary, transgender, and gender-diverse youth to thrive they must be nurtured, supported, and encouraged. Mentorship can have just as much value for adults at crucial life stages and should continue as young women move into the workforce. Many of our Bigs and Littles build lifelong connections, setting them up for long-term success.
Mentorship in the workplace
Success isn't solely determined by hard work, talent, or luck; it's often influenced by a strong professional network. In addition to a sounding board, mentors open doors and contribute to more inclusive environments for women. Workplace mentorship programs promote systems that lift women up, such as flexible workplaces, hybrid arrangements and positive cultures that support women as they reconcile the challenges of work and home-life, particularly mothers.
Promising strides have been made to advance gender equity in the workplace including greater awareness and implementation of policies that centre equity, diversity, and inclusion. However, women continue to be under-represented in leadership positions, and the gender pay gap persists. I often hear that women don’t negotiate as effectively as their male counterparts when it comes to starting salaries, which contributes to the gender pay gap. While this can be frustrating to hear, there is data to support it. A mentor in the workplace can be a solution; offering practical tips on how to negotiate salary or approach an ask for a promotion. While this may not be a systemic response, a mentor can be the champion a woman needs to chart a fulfilling career path.
Young women are entering a difficult world without support
Women and girls face unique, gender specific barriers. Young women aged 15 to 17 are twice as likely to be hospitalized for mental health concerns compared to boys and young men of the same age and are 4.6 times as likely to be the victim of a sexual assault by a family member.
Our work at Big Sisters addresses these issues through evidence-based mentorship programs for girls and youth that result in positive mental health and educational outcomes as well as strong social connections. We know it takes just one stable, committed adult in a young person’s life to make a difference, but for many of the girls we serve, this can feel out of reach. According to research conducted by the University of British Columbia, 1 in 10 children in the BC Lower Mainland feel that they do not have an adult in their life who cares about them. By Grade 8, one third of all children in the region lack the presence of an adult relationship. This is creating a generation of young women emerging into a world of unconscious bias, harassment, and inequity, without adequate support.
The power of mentorship
For over 60 years, Big Sisters has been matching volunteer mentors with girls and youth and we see the incredible impact of these relationships. Little Sister of seven years Matida recently told us “I’ve always dreamt of becoming a Doctor and I think that dream is now becoming a reality because of Big Sisters.”
An investment in mentorship creates a chain reaction that ignites the potential of individuals, families, workplaces and communities. As Matida put it “I am the first immigrant daughter among my five siblings to embark on this path, but I am confident that I won’t be the last.”
We recognize that every investment requires a return. What better return could there be than a future where women and girls are supported to overcome the barriers they will inevitably face to thrive in their pursuits?
Chantelle Krish
CEO, Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland
--
Find out more about how you can contribute towards the Big Sisters mission of igniting the power and potential of youth or how you can become a Big Sister:
Ways to give: https://www.bigsisters.bc.ca/big-sister-donations-ways-to-give/
Becoming a mentor: https://www.bigsisters.bc.ca/become-a-mentor/
