Mentors contribute so much to our community and the contributions of some of them will be recognized and honoured through the inaugural Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Saint John Inspire Awards this fall.
Youth who have been mentored through Big Brothers Big Sisters programming are 17-percent more likely to be gainfully employed as adults and they earn 13-percent more on average in those jobs resulting in $315-thousand in increased earnings through their career.
Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters Saint John Laurie Collins says that having a mentor is very important to help people develop, to build relationships and to feel as though they’re part of the community:
“Through mentoring of course it does give you that back and forth feedback, a chance to bounce things off of someone, ideas, suggestions, advice, that can help you through not only struggles in life or challenges but just to help you on a regular basis to develop as a person,” says Collins.
“Serve and return relationships between mentors and mentees is really important for brain development. Not only with younger kids, but with older kids as well they need that chance to build a sense of community, a sense of being important to someone, a sense that someone cares about them outside of the family.”
The Inspire Awards are happening on November 1 at the Delta and there are seven categories: youth, imagination, public service, civic spirit, learning, leadership, and community spirit. You can nominate someone by clicking here.
