Krista Charbonneau may not have any relatives in Winnipeg, but she's got a little sister. Five years ago, the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Winnipeg volunteer was matched with Shannon (last name withheld) and since then, the two have created a bond so close that they even spend holidays together.
"I don't have family here -- my family is in southern Ontario, but Shannon and her family are my family," says Charbonneau, a 29-year-old labour relations consultant with the Louis Riel School Division, who moved to Winnipeg more than six years ago.
While Big Brothers and Big Sisters expects volunteers to take their little brothers or sisters on at least two outings each month, Charbonneau, last year's Big Sister of the Year, and Shannon, 16, were quick to exceed those expectations. Together they participate in all sorts of activities including some, she says, she never would have attempted without Shannon.
"We do everything from crafts to sports to attempting to bake, which is fun," says Charbonneau, adding that Shannon is trying to convince her to try skydiving. "We have failures on some stuff we try but we laugh about it and we learn about it and we try it again later." She adds that she has seen remarkable differences in Shannon since they first met, going from a shy and quiet young girl to a confident and giving young lady.
"I've seen her self-esteem grow significantly in the last five years, which has been a great thing for me," says Charbonneau, who never misses Shannon's ringette games.
"I've seen her excel more in school in different ways because I've taught her different things and I've helped her through hard times. I just get joy and happiness from seeing all of her accomplishments."
One of those accomplishments is a major scholarship that will allow Shannon to go to university once she graduates high school next year.
Last year, she was one of 30 teens from across Canada chosen to receive the CIBC Youthvision scholarship, which will grant her up $34,000 towards a four-year post-secondary education, covering both tuition costs and giving her a paid summer internship at the YMCA-YWCA. Initially unsure about applying for the scholarship, Shannon says she did so only because of Charbonneau's encouragement. "I would never have gone for it without her," says Shannon, who hopes to enter the University of Manitoba's faculty of kinesiology. "I thought 'There's a whole bunch of other people applying for it, why bother?' (Charbonneau) was like 'You should do this, you should do this. You never know.'
Beaming, she adds, "Without it, I would not be able to go to university."
She's quick to point out that's not all that she's accomplished thanks to Charbonneau's guidance. Shannon says she also became a volunteer, working with the Girl Guides of Canada, because of Charbonneau -- a volunteer commitment they tackle together.
She says she hopes to become a Big Brother Big Sisters of Winnipeg volunteer too.
"I think people like Krista are important because every kid has to have a role model in their life," says Shannon. "She's always there when you need somebody to talk to."
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Winnipeg, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, is currently in need of big sisters and big brothers as well as in-school mentors. If you would like more information about the volunteer opportunities, or think your child could benefit from having a big brother or big sister, call 988-9200 or visit the organization online at www.bigwinnipeg.com.
Andrea Gantzel, director of development and community relations, reminds parents that the program is open to any child in need of mentorship from dual- or single-parent households. Most little brothers come from households with a single mom, but she says those overworked single mothers should also consider the program for their daughters.
"It's almost like people don't realize that (their daughters) need mentors too. Little brothers always tend to need mentors because they come from a home where a mom is single and she has boys who don't have a man in their life. I don't think a single mother realizes that their daughters still need a friend to hang out with."