Apply now for a Fall start!

Be that person in a kid’s corner.

Big Sisters of B.C. Lower Mainland is looking for caring volunteer mentors for our group mentoring programs delivered to girls and gender-diverse youth in grades 4 to 7. Our group mentoring programs are:

1. Go Girls! Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds promotes connection, active living and a healthy lifestyle.
2. My Voice, My Power! explores identity, develops advocacy and strengthens leadership skills to prevent gender-based violence. 

Sessions are delivered in school and are 2.5 hours per week for 8 weeks on a set weekly schedule.

As a group mentor, you’ll work as part of a team with 1-2 other mentors to facilitate sessions for a group of 8-10 participants. Group mentoring often includes structured activities that promote discussion, skill-building, and personal development.

This opportunity is for:

• individuals who thrive in collaborative environments and enjoy engaging with multiple youth simultaneously
• those interested in facilitating discussions and activities that promote shared learning experiences
• volunteers who can commit to a series of structured sessions over a defined term (e.g., 8 weeks)

Why volunteer as a mentor?

As many as 1 in 3 children in Metro Vancouver don’t have a single adult in their life that they can turn to for help. A positive relationship with an adult is the single most important factor in a child’s ability to overcome life’s challenges and reach their full potential. Imagine, the world of possibilities that open up when a child has someone that they can turn to.

Becoming a mentor lets you build meaningful connections with youth while enhancing your leadership and communication skills. You’ll join a supportive community passionate about making a difference and experience the joy of empowering the next generation.

As a mentor, you can expect to grow alongside your co-mentors and mentees and develop many positive personal attributes and professional skills, including:

• Problem solving
• Cultural awareness
• Empathy
• Classroom/group management
• Conflict Resolution
• Facilitation
• Working well under pressure
• Quick decision making
• Gain experience working with youth

Mentoring is the thing that Big Sisters often express brings meaning into their lives.

The support and opportunities for growth you can expect from Big Sisters:

• mentor training
• regular scheduled mandatory check-ins with Mentoring Coordinator
• ongoing opportunities to: connect with other mentors and mentor matches, access community activities, events and opportunities, and attend workshops for further personal and professional growth

Qualifications:

• Be 19 years or older and identify as a woman, non-binary, transgender, or gender-diverse individual
• Complete a free online Criminal Records Check
• Have been a Canadian resident for at least one year (or provide an International Criminal Records Check)
• Have an interest in building a positive relationship with youth in grades 4 to 7

Next steps:

Big Sisters is accepting applications from across the Lower Mainland.