‘One of the greatest gifts’

Michelle Misener Building Futures Bursary continues to bless area youth

For Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colchester, it’s all about making a positive difference in the life of youth in multiple ways.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colchester awards the Michelle Misener Building Futures Bursary every year. The bursary, named after Michelle Misener in honour of her 35 years of service with the organization, provides support to students involved with Big Brothers

Big Sisters who are in pursuit of post-secondary education. Misener has retired from the position but was vigilant about working to support and protect the futures of the area’s young people.

The non-profit organization recognizes that young people face adversities and challenges growing up, which have nothing to do with who they are as people and the value they offer to society. This program aims to ensure these young people have opportunities to succeed after high school.

Kassie was a former little sister in the program for seven years. She was matched with her big sister Amanda from 2009 to 2016 and the experience has positively impacted her life.

“Big Brothers Big Sisters is an organization that has impacted my life greatly. Not only did it give me a relationship that I will cherish forever, but so much more. Having a role model like my big sister Amanda was, and still is, one of the greatest gifts I have ever received,” said Kassie.

Her mentoring relationship with Amanda played a pivotal role in her life, along with being the recipient of the Michelle Misener Building Futures Bursary. She was awarded this bursary in 2016 and provided support throughout her post secondary journey.

“I completed my four-year undergraduate studies with a bachelor of science in nursing at St. F.X. in 2020. Schooling is stressful without the additional financial stress and I am so grateful to have had some of that alleviated with this bursary,” said Kassie.

After her graduation last spring, Kassie accepted a job offer working as a women’s and children’s registered nurse in Nova Scotia.

“This has been a dream of mine since deciding on this career path. I am so grateful for the tools I have been given through this program and will continue use them to guide me in my life and career,” she said.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colchester supports developmental relationships so young people have the opportunity to grow up and reach their full potential. Through this service, youth learn the value of volunteerism, and this bursary celebrates and recognizes future volunteers.

Congratulations to Kassie on her major accomplishment, along with all the other students who, this past year, have been nothing short of resilient as we face this pandemic. We truly are bigger together.

A Big Brothers Big Sisters Colchester representative says bursaries will be awarded to new and returning post-secondary students this spring.