A Match That Changed Everything

When Ethan first came to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Vancouver Island, he was a bright, curious 10-year-old who loved being outdoors.

Biking. Fishing. Exploring trails. Those were the places where he felt most like himself.

But socially, things were harder. At school, Ethan struggled to connect with other kids. Making and maintaining friendships did not come easily, and the classroom could feel overwhelming both academically and socially. Many days, he simply did not want to be there.

At home, his family was also navigating tension in Ethan’s relationship with his father. His mom could see that he needed something more — someone steady in his life who could show up just for him.

“He doesn’t have a male mentor in his life,” she shared when enrolling him in the program. “He’s just missing something like that.”

When staff asked Ethan what he hoped for in a mentor, his answer was simple:

“Someone who does stuff outside.”

But finding the right mentor takes time.

Ethan waited more than three years before he was matched. For a child who already feels disconnected, that can feel like a very long time.

Finally, at age 10, Ethan was matched with a mentor who shared his love of the outdoors.

From the beginning, their relationship was built through simple, meaningful time together. They biked in the rain. They went fishing. They swam. They explored outside. They built small camp stoves out of cans and even made popcorn over a fire.

To someone else, those activities might seem ordinary. But for Ethan, they became something much bigger.

They became trust.

They became consistency.

They became a relationship he could count on.

When Ethan was asked how reliable his mentor was on a scale of 1 to 10, he answered without hesitation:

“10.”

His mentor also valued the relationship, sharing:

“I enjoy hanging out with him, he teaches me things.”

Ethan may not always talk openly about his emotions, but the impact of the match was visible.

His mom saw the change clearly.

“He’s cheerful when he goes and cheerful when he comes back,” she said. “It’s a positive that carries through every week.”

That is the power of mentoring.

Sometimes mentorship looks like fishing rods, muddy trails, rain-soaked bike rides, and laughter over burnt popcorn. But what it truly builds is something much deeper: connection, confidence, belonging, and the knowledge that someone cares enough to keep showing up.

For Ethan, the right match opened a door.

Not through grand gestures or dramatic interventions, but through consistency, shared experiences, and the simple act of being present.

A trusted adult.
A weekly outing.
A relationship built over time.

Today, many children and youth in our community are still waiting for a mentor.

With your support, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Vancouver Island can create more safe, professionally supported mentoring matches — helping young people like Ethan find connection, encouragement, and someone who believes in them.