Big Brother, Big Sister Montreal celebrates 25 years

The annual Big Brother’s Big Sisters breakfast is back at Jack Astor’s Dorval for its 25th year.

It has become a favorite for Montreal West Islanders to gather, support a local charity, and get a great breakfast. The organization provides mentorship programs for children and youth ages six to 21 years of age.

“It started 10 years ago,” said Matteo Palladini, little brother turned ambassador. “This was when I met Mark. The Big Brother’s Big Sisters, my mom had signed me up when I was a kid. I was struggling. I was looking for some sort of guidance, some sort of role model in my life. And I didn’t really have that anywhere else. I couldn’t really find that. It wasn’t through school I was finding that. It wasn’t through any video games I was playing. I wasn’t finding that sort of compassion and care. And through Big Brother’s Big Sisters, they really provided that program where I can meet Mark, my big brother, and since then when I was around 10 or nine years old is when I met him. And 10 years later I’m still blessed to have been matched with him.”

Valentino Pietrantonio is the Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of  West Island.

“I would say that the biggest issue or area to emphasize is really the importance that youth mentoring has on the youth in our community and how it develops their potential and how it builds self-confidence,” said Pietrantonio. “And we are constantly looking for new volunteers and new mentors.”

“I’ve been managing here for 14 years and honestly being able to see all the amazing people year after year that come and share their memories with the Big Brothers and Big Sisters, it’s a warm fuzzy feeling for me and it does make me feel alive,” said Stacy-Anne Kertzer, Assistant general manager of Jack Astors.

“It makes me feel like I’m doing an amazing thing for the community. My team comes here at 4:45 or 5:00 a.m. We make an amazing breakfast. I have volunteers to set up coffee, to set up the tables, to make sure everyone has everything, just like a regular service we would do, but it’s for volunteer work.”

When asked what Matteo has enjoyed most over the past decade with Mark, he had this to say.

“Giving back to the homeless right now,” said Palladini. “Honestly, this is the one that’s been out of 10 years right now. This is the one like roaring at my heart because me and Mark, we go on Mondays and we’re able to give back to the homeless. The blessing it’s been given to me to have met Mark and the blessing to have the abundance of life, and we are able to give back in a way has been so grateful, so beautiful.”

“Give it a chance and try it,” said Mark Hopkins, Big Brother to Palladini. “I gave it a chance 11 years ago and I couldn’t be happier. It’s turned out to almost be like Mateo’s another son. I have three kids so I kind of consider him to be kind of my fourth.”