It could take up to three years for a youth to be matched with a mentor.
That's what Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver (BBGV) claims as it continues to struggle in meeting the demand through its free year-round leadership programs.
However, new funding in the amount of $25,000 has come through and is set to help the regional non-profit meet its goal of pairing brothers and sisters with thousands of kids and youth.
BBGV was one of more than 70 organizations that received a Ted Rogers Community Grant from Rogers Communications, including 13 in B.C.
"We're thrilled to receive this funding," said spokesperson Mandy Wong in a news release on Thursday (Nov. 3).
"With this grant, we can directly fund even more youth mentorship programming and take one step closer to reaching our goal of matching over 1,000 children and youth with mentors in our local communities throughout Greater Vancouver."
BBGV serves youth in the Tri-Cities, Burnaby, New Westminster, the North Shore, Richmond, Delta, White Rock, Surrey and Vancouver.
Mentors typically spend a couple of hours each week with the youth they're paired with to do an activity together, like sports, arts, music or simple conversation.
Children enrolled in Big Brothers' mentorship programs "are more likely to be happier, healthier and more confident compared to their peers," and are "more likely" to graduate high school and university, the organization states.
"Our volunteers have the power to make impactful change," Wong added in an earlier statement.
"Being a mentor brings so much value to the children and youth in our programs — and to our volunteers. I always hear the same message from our volunteers: 'my mentee impacted me just as much, if not more.'"
According to Rogers, BBGV and the other recipients help reach more than a total of 50,000 youth across Canada
The telecommunications giant awards $5 million every year for organizations that provide programming for youth ages 15 to 29 with a specific focus on education, entrepreneurship, digital literacy, health and sport.
For more information on BBGV, or if interested in becoming a volunteer, you're encouraged to visit the non-profit's website.
