May 26, 2009
Steve and Chris - Champion Big and Little Brothers 
As the champions for Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver's participation in the Scotiabank Half Marathon and 5K, Steve and Chris take their roles very seriously. Matched five years ago in the Big Brothers program, they are passionate about friendship and the opportunities Big Brothers offers. Eager to express that passion to the Lower Mainland and raise money at the same time, they are both taking part in the event and encourage everyone else who supports friendship to do the same.
As the champions for Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver’s participation in the Scotiabank Half Marathon and 5K, Steve and Chris take their roles very seriously. Matched five years ago in the Big Brothers program, they are passionate about friendship and the opportunities Big Brothers offers. Eager to express that passion to the Lower Mainland and raise money at the same time, they are both taking part in the event and encourage everyone else who supports friendship to do the same.
Steve became a Big Brother in September 2003 with a wish to pay it forward within his community. As a Taiwanese immigrant who could not speak a word of English when he arrived in Vancouver 19 years ago, he credits the positive people who mentored him for his success as a lawyer at WorkSafeBC today.
“I got involved with Big Brothers because I knew that I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for the guidance and support of many people in my life. I was fortunate to have been surrounded by mentors and role models who helped expose me to new possibilities during my journey from high school, university, law school and now practicing law. I felt the best way for me to give back to this community was to become a mentor myself.”
Still, Steve was not prepared for the connection he would feel with his Little Brother, 12 year old Chris. Matched when Chris was just seven, the two are now the best of friends. They love spending time together and embarking on new adventures. However, Chris was not always the outgoing experimental child he is today.
In fact, when they were first matched, Chris was extremely shy and very reluctant to try new things... even food! Steve recalls the younger Chris who dared not venture away from McDonald’s. "I had to convince him to take a leap of faith. Today, one of our favourite activities is going out to different restaurants and trying different foods.”
Like most Big and Little Brother matches, Steve and Chris show that deep conversation and constant mentoring isn’t what the program is about. By just encouraging Chris to test his palette, Chris has let down barriers and developed more confidence.
“He is more talkative and asks me a lot of questions during our drives to and from our destinations. It is also rewarding to know that he has a lot more friends now. He always talks about having friends over or going over to his friends’ place to play.”
Steve must also admit that while the program is intended to benefit Chris, he has embraced the opportunity to feel like a kid again and see things for the first time as a child would. He fondly remembers the first Canucks game he took Chris to and the look on his face when he saw the Sedin twins up close.
“I know that Chris benefits from having me in his life. The time that I spend with him helps him be an individual, to branch out and to find the courage to talk about his life. But I find that the longer I am a Big Brother, the more that I am benefiting. Our relationship is definitely good for the both of us. We are friends and this experience has enriched my life beyond measure.”
On June 28th, Steve and Chris will march for friendship on behalf of Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver. Steve has decided to run the half marathon and Chris will walk the 5K with his mom. The group will gather afterward to celebrate their friendship.
Promoted by Big Brothers as a march for friendship, the Scotiabank Half Marathon and 5K is a way to rally for friendship. Participants can either walk or run and may choose their level of competition from virtually none to highly competitive. Coined by Big Brothers as the Million Match March, they expect to see lots of Big and Little Brothers, mothers and siblings, supporters, donors and friends all out on race day marching for friendship.
The Scotiabank Half Marathon and 5K provides the opportunity for the public to support a charity in a new way. Even if you cannot commit to becoming a Big Brother, why not gather some friends, collect a few pledges and walk or run? Whether you feel you would have benefited from having a Big Brother, have a child in the program or bowl for Big Brothers with your company... whatever your reason for supporting Big Brothers, join us June 28th. All funds raised will provide funding for Big Brothers staff to recruit, screen and train volunteers and monitor friendships.
While the story of Steve and Chris is a happy one, there are many children throughout the Lower Mainland who desperately need a positive adult role model to help them reach their full potential. Unfortunately, funding is required to make that possible. Please register to walk or run at www.vancouverhalf.com. This is your opportunity to allow more friendships like the one shared by Steve and Chris.
Although Steve could speak at length about his passion for mentoring, he sums up the purpose of Big Brothers’ program simply-
“In my case, I no longer see Chris as just my little brother matched from the Big Brothers program. Chris is my brother... period.”
