A ‘Little’ goes a long way – Chelsea and Shaniya celebrate their 5-year milestone with Big Sisters
“I find Chelsea really fun and easygoing. I feel comfortable talking to her about things and appreciate her being such a good listener” Shaniya, Little Sister.
Shaniya was just 8 years old when she was matched with her Big Sister Chelsea. Living with her Mom in Richmond, Shaniya, like many girls of her age, was referred to the Big Sisters program so she could find connection and support outside of the family unit as she moved through the journey from childhood to adolescence, navigating a pandemic and the transition to high school all along the way.
Chelsea had just finished her studies in Halifax and was attending a Women in Business event in Vancouver when she first heard about Big Sisters.
Looking for meaningful and lasting ways she could give back to her community, she was inspired by the story of a Little who spoke on stage about her journey in the Big Sisters program. As the oldest of three in her own family, she felt ready to step into the role of ‘Big Sister’ once again.
Finding the perfect match: The first step of the journey
Big Sisters’ team work hard to build a framework for connection that ensures they find the best possible match between Bigs and Littles. Shaniya and Chelsea first meet in 2019 and from that first meeting Chelsea felt like they had found the perfect match.
“We bonded and felt like sisters right away. We had so much in common and just clicked. We started out by attending Big Sister match activities and events and after that we moved on to crafting and baking and started to find out what we had in common. After the first month I knew wasn’t going anywhere.”
These first meetings would be the first steps in a long and beautiful journey. From her first time flying a kite and riding a bike, to her first Canucks game and eventually her first day of high school; Shaniya has always had Chelsea by her side.
Chelsea shared, “I remember when we first met up. Shaniya had a list of rules for us to follow and we eventually developed a bucket list of things we wanted to do together which we now update every year. It’s a beautiful experience and means we can map out what we want to work towards together. We are even planning a trip to Disneyland when she turns eighteen!”.
Outside of the fun activities they share, Chelsea has been able to play a unique role in Shaniya’s life as a mentor. Mentors provide a listening ear, an external outlet, and a consistent presence outside of the family dynamic. This can allow youth to take the space they need to share, learn and grow in safe and trusting environment.
Shaniya commented, “I find Chelsea really fun and easygoing. I feel comfortable talking to her about things and appreciate her being such a good listener”. This kind of support can be invaluable for youth at a key development stage, helping them to find confidence and a sense of self.
The mentor relationship can be just as beneficial for mentors. Chelsea shared, “I knew it would be rewarding, but what I didn’t expect was the joy, connection and positive impact it would have on my life. I learn so much from her and really feel like this is a bond for life. We are like two peas in a pod and we feel like true sisters. I’m so proud to tell people that I have my two sisters and also my Little Sister Shaniya.”
Becoming more of herself and taking next steps, together
For Chelsea, the most amazing part has been watching Shinya grow, rather than change, and step into becoming more of herself, “Shaniya has always been friendly, curious and kind to everyone she meets. As she has gotten older I’ve watched her develop and expand those parts of herself. She would always include other kids in games and now she has started babysitting. One day I saw her walking a dog and she told me she was doing it because she had heard her neighbour had a baby and she wanted to help. That’s the type of person she is becoming.”
That spirit of compassion, love and support speaks to the journey our mentors and mentees embark on together and eventually share back into the world. With Big Sisters, a Little goes a long way, and we are proud to see this match continue to flourish as they celebrate 5 years of mentorship. We can’t wait to find out what the future holds for Shaniya as she takes the next steps in her journey, with Chelsea by her side.
How You Can Help – Support a Little Sister Like Shaniya this Holiday Season
Thanks to the generous support of a former Big Sisters – all donations to Big Sisters will be matched up to $10,000—doubling your impact. Donate to Big Sisters today.
