Growing up, Brett lived with his mother and brother in North Vancouver. They did not have much. In fact, they lived on welfare and in social housing. Still, Brett recalls they were three musketeers and looks back on his childhood with a smile. And for good reason…
One morning, Brett’s mother caught him and his brother shaving their legs over the bathtub because that’s what they had seen her do every morning!That was the moment she realized her boys needed some male guidance. She started looking around and found out about the Big Brothers program.
Brett was seven years old when he was matched up with his Big Brother, Dave. Brett immediately thought Dave was cool because he was fun, active and, most importantly, had a truck. Used to taking public transportation everywhere he went, Brett was delighted each week when Dave picked him up in his truck.
When Dave bought Brett a baseball glove for his birthday one year, playing catch almost every week became a new tradition. The match didn’t forget about the community though. They often volunteered together and raised money for those less fortune through raffle ticket sales at hockey games. While they were having fun spending time together, Dave was also helping Brett develop a sense of what it takes to be a good citizen.
Since then, Brett has always wanted to be a part of something positive. After experiencing firsthand the benefits of having a Big Brother growing up, 20-years later, Brett applied to be a Big Brother and is now a mentor to eight year old Creedence.
When asked about their first meeting, Brett recalls Creedence being very shy at first but opening up towards the end. On their first outing, they rode their bikes around Creedence’s neighbourhood, ate pizza and just talked to get to know each other. A year and a half later, they have done everything around Vancouver from visiting Science World to shopping on Granville Island. Brett has even been trying to educate Creedence about the importance of healthy eating, something that is a big part of his life.
Brett is the proud owner of Fresh Bowl, a to-go and delivery-based Southeast Asian restaurant that uses authentic recipes to offer fresh, flavorful and healthy food in a fun and contemporary setting. With a full menu from satays to roti, to rice and noodle bowls, customizable with choice of proteins and lots of veggies, Fresh Bowl lives up to its promise of delivering quick, healthy and authentic Southeast Asian food. Building even further on his dedication to charity, Brett is hosting a fundraiser at the new Gastown Fresh Bowl location benefiting Big Brothers.
Brett has always had a strong drive to go after things he wants to achieve in life. He hopes to influence Creedence in a positive way and have an impact on his life. When asked what advice he could give to someone considering volunteering as a mentor, Brett answered, “I would definitely recommend it. It’s rewarding to watch the growth of a young boy. It is fulfilling and you would be amazed at how easy it is to get involved.”
To show his support, FreshBowl donated $1 from each bowl sold at the new Gastown location between March 11th to 13th to Big Brothers.
On Saturday, March 13th five Little Brothers acted as a judging panel for the Kids Bowl and Drink menu. After an hour of judging, the winner was:
Ramen noodle soup served in a chicken/vegetable-based broth and Mango juice made it to the kids menu.
Proceeds from the Kids Bowl will benefit Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver.
