I started volunteering with the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Dufferin 2 years ago during the pandemic. My parents and other close family members were involved in the organization when they were younger so this played a big part in why I was inspired to get involved. I remembered them always speaking so fondly of their time as a mentor and I knew it was something that I wanted to be a part of. After two years of being a mentor, I can confidently say that they were right about how great it is to be a part of this organization and how special it is to be a part of my mentee’s life.
At the beginning of our match, it was difficult to navigate the pandemic and its restrictions but we started off meeting virtually to adhere to them. As time passed we were able to meet in person outdoors which was an awesome transition. This often involved playing basketball, soccer, or playing at parks in town. All of these activities were super fun for both of us and I found myself feeling like a little kid when spending time with her and playing these sports. Once we were allowed to do a bit more with the loosening of restrictions we did some indoor crafts and lots of board games which were also very enjoyable. Some of the other fun activities we have gotten to do include going to the movies, getting drinks from Starbucks, going on hikes as well as going to a local hockey game!
Overall, we always have a great time when spending time together, I look forward to spending time with my mentee and hearing about how she is doing, and watching her grow up essentially. It is such a rewarding experience that I would recommend it to everyone. I have learned so much from her as well in regards to being a role model and just simply having fun and playing sports and games again. Being a mentor has become a huge part of my life and I am grateful for this experience. I have gained a pretty awesome little buddy out of it and I am looking forward to future experiences and creating more fun memories!
Morgan
