Empowering Future: Youth Mentorship in Surrey Schools
In Surrey, youth mentorship is no longer just a concept—it’s a powerful community movement shaping young lives. The Next 100 Years program, a partnership between Surrey Schools and the Surrey Police Service, is sparking real transformation by guiding elementary students through their transition to secondary school—and now, those very students are stepping up to lead the next generation.
Since 2016, the program has supported hundreds of Grade 6 and 7 students, helping them build confidence, foster positive relationships, and explore their identity. What makes it truly impactful is its peer-led model—Grade 10 to 12 mentors share real-life experiences that speak directly to the worries of younger students.
L.A. Matheson Secondary student Suleman Sohail is one of the many success stories. His journey began as a shy elementary school mentee and has now come full circle—he’s mentoring others with the same empathy and warmth he once received.
“It helped me ease into the life of high school and what we were going to face in the future,” Suleman reflects. “The mentors didn’t act superior—they felt like friends. That connection made all the difference.”
Building Bonds, Breaking Barriers
Currently active in Senator Reid, Kirkbride, Cougar Creek, and J.T. Brown Elementary schools, the program includes weekly sessions led by secondary students from L.A. Matheson and Tamanawis Secondary. These sessions address topics like identity, anti-racism, peer pressure, bullying, and mental wellness—offering a safe space for open conversations.
The goal? Help students feel seen, heard, and prepared for the next phase of school life.
Suleman, inspired by both his mentors and siblings who once led the way, joined the program in Grade 10. He saw an opportunity to give back by guiding students facing the same crossroads he once did.
“I realized I could use my own story—and those around me—to make a difference in someone’s life,” he says. “Sometimes, just knowing someone’s there for you changes everything.”
Legacy That Lasts Beyond School Walls
Now a senior, Suleman finds joy in seeing his impact in real time. Former mentees recognize him in the halls, share how his guidance still sticks, and even ask how they can become mentors themselves.
“They dap you up in the hallways and say, ‘I remember you,’” he smiles. “That moment—it’s everything. You know it mattered.”
What started as a school-based initiative is quickly evolving into a generational ripple effect. With mentorship becoming part of the culture, students are not just transitioning between grades—they’re growing into leaders, storytellers, and changemakers.
Stay tuned to Surrey Speak for more inspiring stories from the heart of your community.
Because what we build today shapes the leaders of tomorrow.
