At Big Brothers Big Sisters, you can choose the type of mentor (we call them Bigs) you want to become based on your availability or where there is the greatest need.
It is important to be realistic about your commitment because once you have made it, Littles are looking for someone they can count on to consistently show up for them. Many already have too much disappointment in their lives.
We have both mentoring and non-mentoring volunteer opportunities. The chart below shows three different mentoring opportunities and the commitment they require.
| Type of Mentor | Time Commitment | What and Where |
| 1:1 in the Community | 2-4 hours once a week for at least 12 months | You will be matched with a Little between the ages of 7 to 16. Together, you’ll decide what you would like to do. It might be going for a hike, playing a board game, or simply hanging out. Meetings will take place in the community and in your home. |
| 1:1 in Schools | 1 hour once a week for the academic year | You will be matched with a Little that is in grade 1-8 and will meet with them at their school. You will decide what activities to do based on common interests. For example, playing a board game or creating a craft. |
| Group: mentors must be between the ages of 18-25 | 1 hour once a week for 8 weeks | We offer two group mentoring programs for youth in grades 6-8: 1) Go Girls (for female-identifying youth); and 2) Game On (for male-identifying youth). Both programs run over 8 weeks and help youth learn to make informed choices about leading a healthy lifestyle. As a mentor, you will be paired up with another mentor and together you will deliver the program in a local school. These programs run in fall, winter and spring. |
| New Horizons | 2-4 hours once a week for a minimum of 12 months | At Big Brothers Big Sisters, we match children and youth facing adversity with a caring adult who we call a “Big.” Many of the kids we serve are newcomers to Canada. Having a Canadian mentor can make a big difference for a young person who is trying to adjust to a new life here. The parents of these children need a similar type of support. Many of them don’t have a network of friends or family nearby. You will be matched with a newcomer parent and meet with them weekly to help the newcomer individual feel less alone and more connected to their community. As a New Horizons Mentor, it is important that you have lived experience as a parent. If you were once a newcomer yourself, this would be an asset but it is not mandatory. Become a friend who helps someone to be the best that they can be in their new home country! |