News & Stories

Turning New Year’s Resolutions Into Real Impact

A new year brings fresh starts, new goals and meaningful opportunities to give back. If one of your 2026 New Year’s resolutions is to give back to your community, mentoring could be the perfect place for you to start.

At BGCBigs, mentorship is about showing up, building connections and helping young people feel supported as they grow. This year, we’re inviting community members across Edmonton and surrounding areas to make mentorship part of their 2026 goals—whether through long-term mentoring or our new BIG Summer short-term mentoring program.

Why Mentorship Is a Great New Year’s Resolution

Volunteering as a mentor offers more than just a way to give back to your community—it’s an opportunity to grow personally while positively impacting a young person’s life.

We hear from our mentors all the time:

“My mentee taught me as much, if not more than I taught them! I learned so much!”

We like to say, it’s not mentoring, it’s growing. As a mentor, you’ll build more empathy, confidence and a stronger sense of connection to your community and yourself.

Not to mention, mentoring can fit easily into your lifestyle: It’s flexible and all you need to do is be yourself, show and be a friend.

How Our Programs Create Lasting Impact

Our mentoring programs are designed to meet young people where they are. Through consistent, positive relationships, mentors help youth build confidence, explore interests, experience new opportunities and develop social and life skills that support long-term success. Last year, we served more than 4,500 children and youth across Edmonton and surrounding areas; that’s not just meaningful but potentially life-changing.

In 2026, we’re excited to introduce BIG Summer, an exciting new mentoring program that offers a short-term, 3–4 month commitment during the summer months, making mentorship more accessible than ever.

Stories of Volunteers Who Made a Difference

Many of our mentors start with a simple goal: to just who up consistenly. Over time, those small moments — shared walks, conversations, activities, and laughter — become meaningful milestones for both mentor and mentee.

Whether it’s helping a young person try something new or simply being a consistent, trusted adult, mentors play a powerful role in shaping positive experiences.

Start 2026 by Becoming a Mentor

If you’ve been thinking about volunteering in 2026, there’s no better time to start. With flexible program options and support every step of the way, mentoring can fit into your life while creating real change.

👉 Apply to be a mentor today and make 2026 a year of impact.