A little over 10 years ago, at a local Tim Hortons, an incredible and unexpected relationship was about to begin. That day, little Jemma sat at the table, sipping her drink and eating her snack, never imagining that this lady sitting across from her would become one of the most important people in her life. First brought together with the help of Mentor Coordinator Stephanie (yes, Stephanie who now leads our Mentoring team), Jemma and Anne quickly found common ground. Their first activity? Making bracelets and necklaces together—a creative icebreaker that set the tone for the years to come. “I was nervous at first,” Jemma admits, “but Anne made it easy. She followed my lead and made me feel really comfortable.”

Fast forward nearly 11 years, and Jemma, now 18 years old, describes Anne as her “biggest supporter,” someone she can always rely on. Over the years, Jemma has developed and nurtured an undeniable passion for horses—she even competes in jumper events—and while Anne doesn’t ride, she’s been right there on the sidelines, cheering Jemma on through lessons and competition as she grows her skills and knowledge in the sport. But their shared love for animals doesn’t stop at horses; dogs, goats, cats—you name it. You can often find the two hanging out with Jemma’s menagerie of lovely critters and Anne’s wonderful dogs.

But their connection goes beyond just their animals. From arts and crafts sessions to heated board game battles over Sabobatage, and their ritual bubble tea outings, Jemma and Anne have built an unbreakable bond on shared experiences and new adventures. “Anne has this amazing way of getting my creative mind going,” Jemma says. “She reminds me that creativity doesn’t have to follow rules—just let things flow.”

Anne’s influence has made a deep impact on Jemma. She has inspired Jemma to think about how she can give back to others, just like Anne has given to her. Anne’s work with the community, specifically with her therapy dogs, has sparked Jemma’s own interest in helping others through animal-assisted therapy. “Anne, my mom, and my grandma—they’re all strong women and the closest people in my life,” Jemma shares. This ongoing strength in the women around her has motivated Jemma to become that for someone else one day. 

And it’s not just about big life lessons. Anne has gently nudged Jemma out of her comfort zone in the most unexpected ways—most notably with food! Known for being a picky eater, Jemma found herself trying new dishes thanks to some special encouragement and top-notch cooking. “I never would’ve tried figs… but then we had them on pizza, and now I love them!” she laughs.

Through the ups and downs of life, Anne has been a constant. She’s provided a safe space for Jemma to talk about anything—from school, to the future, and even the tough stuff in life. “She listens without judgment,” Jemma says. “Even when I don’t want advice, I’ll just tell her I need to rant and she’s just there to listen.” Anne has created a very important space for Jemma to explore her feelings and face obstacles with unbiased support. It has allowed Jemma to build stronger relationships with family, friends and herself. The strength of their connection is clear, “She’s awesome and I love her! She’s honestly just like a sister.” 

Looking ahead, Jemma has big dreams: she aspires to become a horse trainer, continue building strong family relationships, and even become a mentor herself one day. And there’s no question that Anne will be a part of her journey every step of the way. “Anne is 100% forever. She’s part of my family and I always want to keep family around me,” Jemma says with a smile.

When asked what she would say to Anne if she could sum it all up in one sentence, Jemma doesn’t hesitate: “I am so glad she decided to join BBBSO because meeting her is one of the best things that has happened to me. I am really thankful for that.”

For any young person or family considering joining BBBSO, Jemma has simple advice: “Just try it. It can become one of the best parts of your life.”

Jemma and Anne’s story is a beautiful reminder that mentorship isn’t just about guidance—it’s about building lifelong connections, growing together, and sometimes finding family in unexpected places.