Answer the call to become a big sister
Big Sisters needed: Sister2Sister Foundation calls for new volunteers for 2024
Big sisters make a world of difference and in 2024, with more little sisters than ever in need of help, the Sister2sister Foundation needs more.
Sister2sister, which provides youth support and education programs to empower young girls to make choices for a better future, has put out a fresh call for mentors – “Big Sisters” – to continue its vital work in 2024 and beyond. Whether you’re actually a big sister or not, if you have the capacity to help, the Foundation wants to hear from you.
Sister2sister matches mentors (Big Sisters) and mentees (Little Sisters), providing structured mentoring and psychoeducational workshops to adolescent girls aged from 12 to 18 experiencing complex challenges.
The program includes activities to assist with building a trusted and safe mentor relationship, connect with peers, help build resilience, and empower girls to realise their potential. And it’s fun – Big and Little Sisters participate in a range of activities like trapeze, cooking and nutrition, rock climbing and self-defence, as well as a three-day camp in the April school holidays to help cement strong bonds.
“The more Big Sisters we have, the more girls in need we can reach. The connections made between Big and Little Sisters through our female-led one-on-one mentoring programs consistently make a profound mark on everyone involved,” explains Sister2sister Foundation Chair, Leanne Pilkington.
Ms Pilkington is CEO of Laing+Simmons and Deputy President of the Real Estate Institute of Australia.
“I’ve personally been involved in the program for 15 years and it’s truly rewarding to see the Little Sisters I’ve got to know grow and succeed. It has also been somewhat of a journey of self-discovery for myself,” she says.
“But Sister2sister relies on volunteers and the simple truth is we need more. There are many reasons more young women today need extra support. Pressure at home, school and among peer groups can lead many young people to make dangerous choices.”
“We want girls to make the right choices for them, so we encourage every woman who knows she has something to offer to apply to become a Big Sister and create a connection with someone who needs a little help to realise their potential,” Ms Pilkington says.
There are two Big Sister information sessions coming up in early 2024:
- 6th February (In Person – Venue Sydney CBD TBC)
- 15th February (Virtual)
For further information, please contact: Susan Charleson, susan@sister2sister.org.au
ABOUT SISTER2SISTER FOUNDATION
In Australia, high numbers of teenage girls are at risk of a myriad of childhood traumas including abuse, neglect, poverty, addiction, teen pregnancy and mental health issues, to name a few. The trauma they face is often due to deeply entrenched inter-generational social issues which result in a devastating impact on the learning, social skills development and the inability of many of Australia’s teenage girls to reach their full potential. We provide youth support and education programs to empower young girls to make choices for a better future. Through one-on-one mentoring and in school workshops, Sister2sister equips them with crucial survival and life skills along with the resilience to overcome challenges – all in an environment that fosters self-worth.
THE PROBLEM
Abuse, neglect, poverty, addiction, mental health and teen pregnancy all have a devastating impact on vulnerable teenage girls. Those who suffer these childhood traumas are at risk of deeply entrenched inter-generational social issues.
THE SOLUTION
Everyone needs someone they can look up to and trust. The Sister2sister Foundation provides that stability through its female-led one-on-one mentoring program and in-school workshops for year 7 girls. Our Big Sisters are trained to provide the support and guidance needed by teenage girls who have been let down in the past by the very adults who should have been caring for them. We guide them to achieve the future they had only dreamed of.
