What We Do
Our expertly screened and trained volunteers build developmental mentoring relationships with youth – supporting them through challenges, acting as their champions and exposing them to new experiences. Community-based mentoring offers additional support and developmental assets to mitigate future challenges in school, at home and in the community. Children and youth who experience more of the developmental assets engage in fewer risk- taking behaviors and are more likely to thrive. We offer a variety of one-to-one and group mentoring to help spark the limitless potential in every youth.
Community-Based Mentoring
- Mentees are aged 7 to 16
- Mentors are aged 19 or older
- All genders welcome
- Matches meet:
- One-on-one (one mentor/one child)
- Once a week for two to four hours
- Wherever: home, beach, park, etc.
- Whenever: after-school, on weekends or weekday evening
- For a minimum of one year (some matches continue until the child reaches 18)
School-Based Mentoring
- Mentees are in one of our partner elementary schools
- Mentors are aged 14 or older
- All genders welcome
- Matches meet:
- One-on-one (one mentor/one child)
- Once a week for one hour
- At partner elementary school (14 schools across the region)
- During the school day – fixed day/time approved by school
- For a minimum of one school year (some matches continue over several grades)
B You: Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds
- Mentees are in grades five through eight
- Mentors are aged 19 to 30
- Female-identifying/gender diverse
- Matches meet:
- As a group (3 mentors/12 youth)
- Once a week for 1.5 hours
- In a partner school OR online using Zoom
- During the school day OR after school on a fixed day and time – multiple sessions offered
- For 8-10 week terms
Big Steps 2 Success
- Mentees are aged 7 to 14 and living in government care
- Mentors are aged 19 or older
- Matches meet:
- One-on-one (one mentor/one child)
- Once a week for two to four hours
- Wherever: community (home, beach, park, etc.) or in school
- Whenever: after-school, during school, on weekends or weekday evening
- Matches will participate in the program for 3-5 years, with a minimum commitment of 1 year.
All of our mentoring programs are supported by professional Mentoring Coordinators. Regular “match monitoring check-ins” are held throughout the time when your child is matched with their mentor(s).
Submitting an application form does not guarantee acceptance into our programs or that a mentor can be found for your child.