News & Stories

100 MEN in 100 DAYS
BGCBigs’ Quest to Recruit 100 Male Mentors
Between Now and May 15, 2024
Our Goal. Your Challenge. Be One of the 100 Men We Need.

We have set a lofty goal in the form of a challenge to the community—for 100 men to step up and become mentors to children and youth in the Edmonton area.

The Goal

While the goal of the campaign seems simple—recruit one male mentor per day for 100 days—the purpose of this campaign is more far-reaching. We currently have a waitlist of over 700 young people waiting to be matched with a mentor; over half of those kids are boys and some of those boys are waiting up to 2 years for a mentor.

The 100 Men in 100 Days campaign aims to break down common misconceptions about what it means to be a mentor, such as:

• “I need special skills or higher education”. False. Lived experience is just as important to a young person who just wants someone they can relate to.
• “I need experience working with children or youth.” False. You just need to be willing to show up and be consistent. BGCBigs will provide mentors with training and support the whole way.
• “I don’t have time to be a mentor.” False. Being a mentor means doing many things you’re already doing, such as playing board games, reading books, watching movies, playing sports, etc. but now you’ll enjoy them alongside a young friend.

Redefine the way you spend an hour

“We’re posing this challenge to men in our community specifically because so many men have the capacity to be awesome mentors but they don’t even realize it,” said Ian Amundson, Club Manager at BGCBigs. “I hear guys tell me all the time, ‘I don’t have time’ or ‘I don’t have what it takes’ and I always respond by saying; ‘Did you play video games last week? Did you watch a hockey game last week? Did you play a sport or a board game or check out a cool attraction?’ The answer is always yes—so why not do all of those fun things you’re already doing anyway but with a buddy? Just for an hour per week! That’s all it takes to be a mentor—one hour a week to do something fun you were already going to do, but with a young person who needs you.”

We have a place for you

Whether it’s as a Club volunteer or as an in-school mentor, or as a mentor in a group setting sharing your love of sports, board games, hands-on projects, reading, movies and more—we have a place for you.

“Volunteering as an in-school mentor was an opportunity to re-experience my youth in a positive way. From reading books like Jeronimo Stilton, to spending time making a paper mâché volcano, it was as much fun for me [as it was for my mentee],” said Robert Markowski, former in-school mentor. “I know I felt pressure coming the first day, but when you realize your [mentee] is looking forward to spending time out of the classroom with someone that is just trying to help them with learning challenges, have some fun and develop a relationship, I really had nothing to worry about. With the small commitment of time each week, combined with BGCBigs’ [support] and the teacher setting everything up for me, it was an easy way to step into volunteering again.”

Be one of the 100

Rise to the challenge. Being a mentor isn’t complicated because it’s not about changing the future, just the moment.

Learn more about 100 Men in 100 Days by visiting our website at BGCBigs.ca/100Men.