As we celebrate Women’s History Month this March, we are reminded of the power of mentorship in shaping the future for young girls. Evidence has proven that mentorship reduces the risk of depression, social anxiety, and promotes self-confidence, healthy living and interpersonal skills.
At Big Brothers Big Sisters of Toronto, we see the impact of this type of targeted mentorship firsthand in the Andra Takacs Little Sister Cohort. For over 40 years, Andra has been an advocate for youth mentorship, dedicating her time to launching the first Big Sisters program in Toronto, being a key supporter in the development of the organization to serve youth across the city, and through creating the Andra Takacs Little Sister Cohort in 2022. In 2025, Andra demonstrated her commitment to supporting young women and girls once again by renewing her support for the Little Sister Cohort for an additional three years.
The first of its kind, the cohort examines how our intervention affects mentoring outcomes, with a focus on social-emotional strengths, values, and commitments that are nurtured within young people who identify as female, so they can reach their full potential.
“Over 40 years ago, when I realized there was no Big Sister matching program in Toronto, I took the lead to create the first program. Since then, I’ve seen the programming at BBBST evolve to serve children and youth who are dealing with present day challenges across the city,” says Andra. “I’m proud to see the positive effect that mentorship has had on Little Sisters at BBBST. Every child deserves a caring, supportive mentor. This exciting cohort is an investment in the future generation of women leaders.”
The lasting effect of Andra Takacs’ Little Sisters Cohort cannot be understated; BBBST has measured the impact of their mentorship and found improvements across key mentoring outcomes. Evidence shows that in the past year, Littles in this cohort:
- Improved their leadership skills
- Increased their success in school
- Learned to overcome adversity and resist danger
- Valued the importance of helping others
The support of long-time, dedicated donors like Andra, ensures that more young girls have access to mentors who can empower them to navigate life’s challenges, grow their ambition, and build a thriving future.
When we come together to champion mentorship, we create a ripple effect benefitting entire communities. You can make a difference. To learn more about how you can support mentorship in Toronto, either by becoming a mentor or making a donation, please visit BBBSToronto.com.