Bigs in the Community - Mentoring Opportunities
BGCBigs is a nonprofit organization that serves children and families throughout Edmonton and Area. The programs include after-school clubs and mentoring programs, among others. The Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring program has a waitlist of over 1200 children and youth across Edmonton, Lac La Biche, St. Albert, Morinville, Parkland County, and Strathcona County. They are currently looking for volunteers to mentor these kids and reduce the waitlist. With your help, we can change the lives of young people with one conversation, one experience, and one mentor at a time.
Please see below all of the mentoring programs that are currently in need of volunteers. In all of the programs, they work with youth from diverse cultural backgrounds, family backgrounds, and youth who identify as being a part of the LGBTQ2+’s community.
Program: Bigs in the Community, commonly known as the Big Brothers Big Sisters program or one-to-one mentoring.
One mentor (Big) and one mentee (Little) spend time together building a friendship based on trust, support, common interests, and fun! Bigs and Littles participate in a variety of activities – everything from riding bikes, skating, reading, working on homework, cooking, playing video games to just talking and sharing with each other.
Minimum commitment: 1 – 3 hours every week or every other week for a minimum of one year.
Program: Youth In Care (YIC) is an inclusive youth mentoring program designed to give young people the confidence to achieve more.
The Youth in Care Program pairs youth with positive, understanding adults who encourage them to find strength from within. Founded on the belief that people are empowered through consistent and supportive relationships, this program is focused on young people who have had involvement with Children Services and could be living in alternate arrangements such as Foster Homes, Group Homes or Kinship placements.
There are two options for volunteers: 1) one-to-one, and 2) group.
Mentee: Between the ages of 6-24 who are/were involved with Child & Family Services.
Mentor: Over 18 who is sensitive other cultures, backgrounds, life circumstances, anyone who feels they can relate to a youth.
Minimum Commitment: 1 – 3 hours every week or every other week for a minimum of one year.
Program: PRISM (Pride, Respect, Identity, Safety, Mentoring) is a mentoring program designed specifically for the 2SLGBTQ+ community in Edmonton.
The PRISM program matches children and youth who identify as 2SLGBTQ+ with an adult mentor who also identifies as 2SLGBTQ+ for a 1:1 mentoring relationship. Through regular outings, the match will foster a supportive, empowering, and fun friendship! Mentees self-identify as 2SLGBTQ+, are between 6-24 years old, and want a mentor who identifies as 2SLGBTQ+ Mentors self-identify as 2SLGBTQ+, are a minimum of 18 years old, and want to be matched with a mentee who identifies as 2SLGBTQ+
Minimum Commitment: 1 – 3 hours every week or every other week for a minimum of one year
Program: Club/OST Programs Our Clubs and school-based after-school programs are safe places for kids to go between school and home.
We run registered and non-registered programming, provide snacks and hot meals, and schedule fun and education field trips throughout the year.
Mentee: Kids between 6 and 18 in the neighbourhood or school where the Club is located.
Mentor: Anyone over the age of 18 who is comfortable hanging out with a group of children.
Minimum Commitment: 1-3 hours a week for a minimum of one year.
Program: Reading & Tutoring.
Children and youth receive academic support related to math, science, literacy, and other related subjects. Over time, this helps children and youth meaningfully improve their academic skills and become more confident in these abilities.
Mentee: Anyone between the grades of 1-12.
Mentor: Anyone over the age of 18.
Minimum Commitment: 45-60 minutes each week during the school term.
Program: In-School Mentoring.
In-school mentors meet with their mentee following the 20-20-20 rule: 20 minutes of getting to know each other and catching up, 20 minutes of school work, and 20 minutes of free time. In addition to friendship and overall support, the focus is on literacy and homework.
Mentee: Kids between 6 and 18 who need extra support with their schoolwork.
Mentor: Anyone over 18 who would like to help a child do better in school
Minimum Commitment: 1 hour per week throughout the school year
Program: In-School Mentoring – Teen.
In-school mentors meet with their mentee following the 20-20-20 rule: 20 minutes of getting to know each other and catching up, 20 minutes of school work, and 20 minutes of free time. In addition to friendship and overall support, the focus is on literacy and homework.
Mentee: Kids between 6 and 12 who need extra support with their schoolwork.
Mentor: Anyone over 16 who would like to help a child do better in school
Minimum Commitment: 1 hour per week throughout the school year
More information about our programs can be found here: Become a Volunteer – BGCBigs
We also run a weekly virtual open house for anyone has further questions. This can be signed up for here: Volunteer Open House – BGCBigs