Born and raised in London, Julia has always felt connected to the community she calls home. After attending the University of Waterloo, she returned to London and now lives in Byron. Wanting to become more involved in her community, she began looking for a meaningful way to give back.
That search led her to Big Brothers Big Sisters, but her decision to volunteer also came with a special family connection. While discussing the opportunity with her family, Julia’s father shared that he had always wanted to get involved with the program himself. His interest helped inspire Julia to take that step and become a mentor.
Since being matched, Julia and her Little have developed a friendship filled with plenty of laughter and fun. When asked what she thinks her Little likes best about her, Julia is quick to joke, “It’s definitely not my cooking!” More seriously, she believes their similar sense of humour has helped them connect and makes their time together something they both look forward to.
Some of the best memories in a match can come from trying something completely different. This summer, Julia and her Little received tickets to see a play in Grand Bend. They turned the opportunity into a full day together, exploring the town, having dinner, and enjoying the show.
“Getting the chance to do something fun out of town, and different from what we usually do, made the day feel really special,” Julia shares.
For Julia, mentorship is not about receiving recognition. The relationship itself is what makes the experience worthwhile. She genuinely enjoys the time she spends with her Little and appreciates the fun and connection they have built together.
“I genuinely enjoy spending my time with my mentee. She makes it enjoyable every single time, which makes it all worthwhile.”
We are proud to recognize Julia as our September Big of the Month and celebrate the laughter, friendship, and genuine connection she brings to her match.