In 2008, Big Brothers Big Sisters launched our Community Mentoring Awards program to recognize the contribution of individuals who practise mentoring in their everyday lives. Our inaugural honourees represented many facets of the community which clearly demonstrates how mentoring occurs in many ways, both formally and informally.

In this, our second year of the awards, we were pleased to present 10 awards to deserving individuals and companies at our October Gala event. Please join un in applauding their efforts toward making our community a better place.

Dr. Henry Bishop

Dr. Henry Bishop is an educator, an author, a musician, an historian, an advocate, and an artist. He is the Chief Curator of the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia and was the first Black person to be awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design. Throughout his impressive career, Dr. Bishop has been a mentor to many and has endeavoured to create understanding and respect for all people through the use of positive cultural experience.

When asked about mentors in his life, Dr. Bishop reminisces about his mother, who recently passed away. “My mother was an ally, a role model and an inspiration. She taught me so many things – patience, perseverance, to never give up. But the greatest gift she gave me was the gift of respect - she instilled in me the value of respect for all peoples.”

Dr. Bishop has a saying he likes to use, “Let go of ego, take hold of a goal.”  To Dr. Bishop, one of the greatest benefits of being a mentor is the satisfaction of seeing others succeed – of watching young people realize their own potential. Potential they don’t always realize is there until someone believes in them. And that, says Dr. Bishop, is one of the greatest benefits of having a mentor. Mentors act as support systems, build trust and, most importantly, make you realize that someone cares.

CBCL Limited Consulting Engineers

Wholly owned by local employees, CBCL has been a member of the Halifax community for more than 50 years.  For CBCL, being a part of the community doesn’t stop with doing business here. CBCL employees volunteer their time and talents as leaders and role models in the community – from participating in Big Brothers Big Sisters Corporate Yacht Program, to coaching minor league hockey teams, to playing an active role in the Canada Green Building Council – CBCL plays a leadership role in building stronger, healthier communities.

On a professional level, CBCL works with engineering students and graduates within a four-year formal mentoring program – ensuring that young professionals benefit from the knowledge and experience of senior employees. Mentors work with aspiring engineers to develop their knowledge in theory, practical experience, management, communications and social responsibility. CBCL Limited participates in the co-op work programs run by Community Colleges and Universities, through hiring work term students who are given the opportunity to gain valuable experience prior to their graduation. This assists the students in making important life decisions regarding the type of work they will look for upon graduation. 

As a company and as individuals, “CBCL Limited benefits from mentoring by continuously passing knowledge on to less experienced staff. It helps us find future employees. It means fewer mistakes. It means feeling good about giving back to our community. And it helps our company and our community to be a better place.”

Bryan Darrell

To some people, Bryan Darrell is known as the Kayak Guy; to some he is the engineer who helped Dalhousie University students build an award-winning “Engine that Could” out of canned goods – in support of Nova Scotia food banks; and to some people, Bryan is the brains behind the Big Brothers Big Sisters Corporate Yacht Program. But to very many people, Bryan Darrell is a mentor, a teacher, and a role model.

When asked about mentors in his life, Bryan says, “My father was a significant influence in my life.  From him I learned the value of an aggressive work ethic and, perhaps even more importantly, the concept of a glass being half full as opposed to half empty. One of his expressions was, ‘if life gives you lemons, make lemonade’.  The concept that there are no problems, only challenges and opportunities, is perhaps one of the most important attitudes that a person can develop.  From my brothers, I learned that one person does not need to know how to do everything, but that collective knowledge will allow you to solve any problem. The trick is to get people to work together. And from my sisters I learned that everybody likes bees because they make honey, but nobody cries when you kill a  wasp. This is perhaps one of the most important things a person can learn.  It is educational on so many different levels.”

Bruce Guthro

Bruce Guthro is an artist who has captivated audiences around the world with his honest, straight-to-the-heart songwriting and live performances that are as engaging and personal as the man himself. When asked to talk about mentors in his life and his thoughts on the benefits of mentoring relationships, Bruce says, “The truth is, I’ve had many mentors in my life. I’ve always taken an interest in, and studied, people. In turn, as we all do, I’ve learned from the strength we see in others.

I learned to play guitar at Cape Breton kitchen parties from friends Wayne O’Handley and Todd Hines – just normal everyday guys who took the time and had the patience to put up with, and encourage, a beginner. I learned a lot about the music business from Sheumas MacNeil of the Barra MacNeils who laid down the hard facts about what I was in for and, after laying down those facts, was always there for me to lean on.

Last but not least, my biggest mentors would have been my mom and dad who, after raising nine kids on a modest income, sent me the money to plant my fate and build the foundation for my career.

So I guess, at the end of the day, the importance of having a mentor is equal to the importance of having someone who believes in you, even when you question yourself. Someone who is willing to take the time to invest in your dreams, confidence and happiness. True mentors are people who have no idea how profoundly they have changed someone’s life and, in turn, changed the world. They’re invisible heroes, and although I feel unworthy to be here, I am honoured that you feel I am among them."

MHPM Project Managers

From directing the development of the Canadian Medical Association’s new corporate headquarters, to managing the renovation of the local Canadian Cancer Society’s offices, MHPM professionals manage projects of all sizes, both locally and internationally.

MHPM Project Managers believes in creating value in the communities where they live and work and they understand that mentoring takes place across the community in many forms – both on a professional and formal level, and on an informal level through family and friendships. The firm embraces a culture of life-long learning, and strongly believes their strength lies with their people.

At home and abroad, MHPM has partnered with non-profit organizations in an effort to help young people acquire new skills and competencies, gain confidence, and develop an enhanced capacity to care for others. In addition to partnering with Big Brothers Big Sisters as participants in the Corporate Yacht Project, MHPM has worked with YWAM (Youth with a Mission) to construct three houses for less fortunate families in Tijuana, Mexico.  And when asked about the benefits of these partnerships, Murray Tate, Project Manager, says, “Seeing the joy on the people’s faces is certainly the best part. It lets you know you are doing good.”

For MHPM, embracing a culture of mentoring and community involvement is a fundamental building block in developing quality relationships and ensuring smooth sailing in business.

PCL Constructors Canada Inc

In 1948 when John and George Poole purchased the company their father started more than 100 years ago, they were presented with a set of management guidelines known as “Poole’s Rules”. Included in those guidelines was a mandate to always “give encouragement and show appreciation”. Today, those guidelines still hang in company offices.

Mentoring is a way of life at PCL. In between constructing hospitals and airports, professionals from PCL volunteered their time in the community to act as mentors to young people, through the Big Brothers Big Sisters Corporate Yacht Program.  

PCL asked over 500 people working in their operations to talk about what mentoring means to them. Their commitment to mentoring is strong and their ideas are heartfelt and compelling:

“There are two…a mentor, the one who ‘brings you along,’ teaches you…and the protégé, the person who is learning. Each of us are mentors and protégés throughout our lives!”

“Mentors are role models and coaches, givers of support and encouragement. They are patient teachers and storytellers”.

“No matter the time it takes…mentors bring others along. Mentoring takes place in the morning as work tasks begin, as the day draws to a close…virtually any time of day. Mentors and protégés stay together for six months to two years…often the length of a typical project. Some say mentors are for life…we seek them…throughout our careers”!

“Mentors believe it is their duty to give back to a company that has substantially given to them. They take personal pride in seeing others learn.”

At PCL, through the belief that all employees are mentors, individuals are offered the support and guidance to develop new ideas, learn new skills, try new endeavours, and grow in all areas.

Clinton Thomas

An active member of his community, Clinton Thomas has been a dedicated counsellor at the Nova Scotia Home for Coloured Children for 32 years. Many staff members describe him as a mentor, a role model, and the reason many of them have stayed on as long as they have.

When Clinton talks about the mentors in his life, he reflects on the influence his mother and grandfather had on his values and philosophies. “From them, I learned respect for others, the gift of unselfishness, and to always help one another. Although my grandfather has passed away, I still cherish and do many of the things he used to do.”

Having someone who believes in you makes your future look bright – and helps you believe in yourself. This is one of the greatest benefits of having a mentor, Clinton believes. And having the opportunity to help others envision a brighter future for themselves, helping them to learn empathy and to embrace the golden rule are some of the wonderful benefits a mentor can bring to a relationship.

Christian Upshaw

Athlete, scholar, son. Christian Upshaw is all of these. Currently a captain of the StFX X-Men basketball team, he led St. Pat’s High School to three consecutive Provincial Titles and was selected to play in the Adidas All-Canadian game in 2005. He was an AUS first team all-star, was named the AUS Most Valuable Player and was a CIS first team All Canadian. Christian is a role model for many young people – aspiring athletes and beyond. He is proof that hard work, believing in yourself and having someone who believes in you can make a big difference.

When asked about mentors in his life, Christian says, “Believe it or not, my mother was my mentor in life. That woman moulded me from day one. She always taught me not to take things for granted and to work hard for everything, because hard work almost never goes unnoticed. She told me that nothing in life is easy and if it is, then I am doing it wrong. As much as I hated that statement, I couldn't help but believe in it because I always knew that my mother would never steer me in the wrong direction.

I feel one of the greatest benefits of being a mentor is to be able to pass along what you’ve learned from your mentors and the knowledge you’ve

gained through life experiences. And the benefits to having a mentor are unlimited - you always have guidance, regardless of what your problem is...you always feel like they know all the answers so it's like you can always count on this person to pull you through”.

WHW Architects

Established 64 years ago by Douglas Webber, Halifax-based WHW Architects believes in the strength of its people, and has received many awards of excellence, including 15 Lieutenant Governor's Awards for Architecture.

In 2009, WHW was one of five community-minded firms that partnered in a fun and innovative group mentoring project with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Halifax. Four volunteers from WHW spent six months with “waiting Littles” – kids who are on the waiting list to be matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister – building a yacht from scratch, and then setting sail in their newly-constructed vessel.

For WHW, being involved in the BBBS Yacht Program was an opportunity for team social time – helping to strengthen the team and build camaraderie, with the added bonus of a little friendly competition. Rob McLaren, mRaic, Vice President of WHW Architects said the team enjoyed putting their talents and desires for building things to good use. “That the Littles could participate in the boat building and sailing experience made it all the more worthwhile.”

William Nycum & Associates

Halifax architectural firm, William Nycum & Associates, believes in the value of mentoring relationships and knows that the benefits frequently extend beyond the mentee – that often the mentor is surprised by just how much the relationship has contributed to their own growth.

In addition to volunteering their time and talents to the Big Brothers Big Sisters Corporate Yacht Program, members of the firm are involved in professional mentoring on formal and informal levels. Each year, the firm hires students and pairs them with junior staff to help them “learn the ropes.”  In turn, junior staff receive the benefit of having productive assistants.  “This process is illuminating: not too much time passes before junior staff (mentors) realize just how much they have learned and how far they have come in the short span of their fresh career”.

In describing the benefits of mentoring, company CEO Benjie Nycum relates this story: “When I was in Architecture school the students were unhappy with the amount of attention they were receiving from their professors. In order to quell the crowd, the Dean said something that stuck with me: ‘There’s a lot to learn and little to teach’.  This is, of course, about self engagement in one’s success.  But that is only the first step. In an increasingly collaborative work environment, what we teach is what we learn.  We know that success is greater when the strength of a team is involved.  Teams, by nature, teach. But in order to teach they must also accept that every member of the team must also learn.  In this light, the benefit to being a mentor or having a mentor is strength and success. Beyond that, it tends simply to be personally gratifying. There is joy in that!”