One to One Mentoring
Community-based Mentoring Programs
The Community-based mentoring programs provides children and youth with a role model to talk to and share the experiences of growing up with. Through regular outings, a relationship is developed between the mentor and the mentee, which is built on trust and common interests, and is supported by our experienced case-workers. The result is a life-changing experience for both the mentor and the mentee.
The Community-based mentoring programs usually require one regularly scheduled outing per week of between two and four hours and a minimum of a one year commitment. Mentoring can take place anywhere depending on the activity selected for that week.
Types of Community-based Mentoring:
- Big Brothers = one male-identifying mentor with one male-identifying child/youth
- Big Sisters = one female-identifying mentor with one female-identifying child/youth
- Big Couple = two mentors in a committed relationship with one male-identifying child/youth
- Cross-Gender = one female-identifying mentor with one male-identifying child/youth
- Trans/Non-Binary/Gender Non-Conforming = one mentor with one child/youth where one or both identify as transgender, non-binary or gender non-conforming
School-based Mentoring Programs
The School-based Mentoring Programs provides elementary school students with a role model, a friend to talk to, and someone to share the experiences of growing up. For one hour a week, the mentor meets with the mentee at their school and engages in activities such as board games, crafts, sports, etc.
School-based mentoring programs require a weekly visit of one hour per week for the duration of the school year. Matches do not meet over the summer break or during other school holidays.
The In-School Mentoring Programs run at several partner schools for the 2021-2022 school year with COVID-19 safety protocols in-place. You can start your mentoring at any point in the school year between September and March.
Types of School-Based Mentoring
- In-School Mentoring with mentors aged 14 to senior. 2021-2022 schools include: Campus View, Craigflower, George Jay, Quadra, Tillicum and Vic West Elementary Schools, as well as Queneesh Elementary in the Comox Valley.
- Teen Mentoring with mentors aged 14 to 18 from paired elementary and secondary schools. 2021-2022 schools include: Marigold Elementary and Spectrum Community School; Salt Spring Elementary and Gulf Islands Secondary School; Saseenos Elementary and Edward Milne Community School; Brooklyn Elementary and Highland Secondary School plus Valley View Elementary and Mark R. Isfeld Secondary School in the Comox Valley.
Big Steps to Success
Big Steps to Success is a new, one on one, mentoring program specifically designed for children and youth aged 7-14 living in government care. Big Steps is a blended model of both our community based and in school mentoring programs, offering matches location flexibility.
In partnership with the Children’s Aid Foundation, the program’s objective is to improve educational outcomes and build resiliency by creating a circle of support for mentees. Volunteers will be offered additional training and support designed to facilitate the success of the relationship and understand the specific experiences of children living in government care.
Each match (mentee and mentor) will participate in the program for a period of three to five years, with a minimum commitment of one year.
Big Steps to Success is running on a referral basis. If you are a referring worker, please contact the Big Steps to Success Coordinator Adrianna Kipp at adrianna.kipp@bigbrothersbigsisters.ca for more information.
Types of Big Steps to Success Mentoring
- Mentors must be 19+.
- Types of Big Steps matches include: Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Cross-Gender, Trans/Non-Binary/Gender Non-Conforming, In School Mentoring.
Group
B You: Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds
B You: Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds is a group mentoring program for female-identifying and gender-diverse youth ages 10-15 that focuses on physical activity, balanced eating and self-confidence/self-compassion. The single, most important goal of the program is to positively shape the lives of young women and girls by helping them build a positive self-image – setting them on a path to reach their full potential in life.