Health
The ROI on presence: Why mentorship is a vital investment in youth
Apr 22, 2026
For many young people, the difference between feeling stuck and finding a way forward comes down to a single, consistent presence: someone who shows up, listens and believes in them. This is about the fundamental human need to know we matter and to believe there is hope for our future - a need that organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada and their local chapters are built to fulfill for the youth they support. The value of this consistent presence is profound for not only the individual, but also more broadly for society.
Mentorship is one of our nation’s best social returns on investment in youth. For example,
every $1 invested in Big Brothers and Big Sisters programming across Canada returns between $18 and $23 to society through increased higher lifetime incomes, tax revenue, and a strengthened culture of volunteerism and charitable giving
. Beyond the economic scale, the personal growth highlighted in Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada’s 2024 annual report
is equally striking as 93% of mentees report that their mentors help them define and achieve their goals among other positive results.Mentorship in action
Big Brothers Big Sisters’ national teen mentoring program is where youth aged 13 to 18 are screened, trained, and supported by program staff to mentor younger children once a week throughout a semester or school year. Match activities – like games, crafts, baking, or outdoor play – are designed to encourage engagement, communication, problem solving and, of course, fun.
In Calgary, a teen mentor describes watching their younger mentee, who was initially quiet become more open and communicative, while also progressing their reading skills. That breakthrough in literacy, confidence and connection is the true measure of the impact Big Brothers Big Sisters has on young people across the country.
The TELUS Friendly Future Foundation is proud to support the organization, with Ken Lima-Coelho, President and CEO of Big Brothers
Big Sisters Society of Calgary and Area
, describing the impact of our long-standing partnership as such:“Every young person deserves someone in their corner who shows up, listens,and believes in them. That’s where mentorship has its greatest impact. I’ve seen firsthand how a single relationship can change a life. Multiply that across thousands of young people, and you begin to shape the future. We’re proud to work alongside TELUS and the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation, whose belief in this work helps create a ripple effect so more young people across Canada can experience that kind of life-changing connection.”
At the TELUS Friendly Future Foundation, we’ve spent decades witnessing how a mentor’s steady presence helps a young person navigate life’s hurdles and unlock a future they once thought was out of reach.
Impact of our long-standing partnership
Our history with Big Brothers Big Sisters is rooted in a shared commitment to showing up. Through our TELUS Friendly Future Foundation and the commitment of our TELUS Community Boards, team members, and retirees since 2000, we have donated over $2.6 million to Big Brothers Big Sisters and its regional chapters throughout Canada. This funding is dedicated to ensuring that youth who most need these essential programs receive the necessary support.
Supporting the whole child
The following programs represent a few of the many ways our partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters chapters supports the diverse and local needs of young people across the country:
- Mental health and wellness: The GROW (Guidance, Resilience, Opportunity and Wellness) Youth Mentoring Workshops help youth transition into adolescence by offering sessions on physical activity, balanced eating, mental health, self-esteem and leadership, funded by the TELUS Manitoba and Saskatchewan Community Board.
- Safety and inclusion for LGBTQ2S+ youth: The PRISM program provides specialized mentoring to ensure every child feels safe and seen, funded through our TELUS Atlantic Canada Community Board.
- Addressing social isolation: Our funding also supports in-school mentoring programs with the backing of the TELUS Barrie and Central Ontario, Interior and Northern BC, Vancouver Island, and GTHA Community Boards. These programs provide weekly, consistent touchpoints, with one-to-one relationships creating better outcomes for children facing adversity, social isolation, or low confidence.
Gail Hunt, CEO of Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre and Chair of the TELUS Barrie & Central Ontario Community Board, sees the ripple effect of these grants firsthand:
“I’ve seen first-hand the difference Big Brothers Big Sisters makes in helping young people see what’s possible for their lives and feel like they belong. Their mentorship program shows these “Littles” that their future can look bigger than what they might see today, and that their “Bigs” are invested in helping them achieve long-term success. It doesn’t happen overnight, but over time you can see the shift. Their confidence builds, their resilience grows, and they start to carry themselves differently, knowing they have options.”
The gap between needing a mentor and finding one is a missed opportunity for our communities. With
one in two young adults in Canada
recalling a time they lacked this essential support, organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters are committed to closing this divide. We provide the funding that empowers Big Brothers Big Sisters chapters to scale their reach and invest in the measurable social and economic returns that consistent mentorship provides. Our goal is to ensure that when a young person looks for a mentor to inspire their journey, the resources are there to answer the call. When we invest in a young person’s potential today, we secure a more resilient and prosperous future for everyone.
