Surrey\u2019s paused Big Brother program could restart with 13 more volunteers<\/p>\n
Published 10:30 am Wednesday, April 1, 2026<\/p>\n
Four years after Surrey\u2019s Big Brothers mentorship program was paused due to lack of volunteers, just 13 more mentors are needed to get the program restarted and re-energized in the city.<\/p>\n
So says Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver (BBGV), which in April will host two info sessions in Newton to recruit more volunteers \u2014 first at Strawberry Hill Library on Tuesday, April 14 (6 p.m. start), then Newton Library on Thursday, April 23 (4:30 p.m.).<\/p>\n
In April 2022 the organization was forced to pause Surrey intake for its Big Brothers program as a wait pool surged to 38 kids due to a volunteer shortage and some children had to wait more than two years to meet their mentor.<\/p>\n
\u201cOver the past four years, we\u2019ve worked hard to rebuild volunteer momentum and eliminate our waitlist in the city,\u201d said Navkiran Brar, BBGV community program manager.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow, we\u2019re seeing the results. With 13 more volunteers in Surrey, we could open up so many opportunities for children and families who have been waiting so long to meet their Big Brother.\u201d<\/p>\n