Community Mentoring
Thank you for your interest in our Community-Based Mentoring programs!
Due to the popularity of our Community-based program, we are currently only accepting new referrals for our Big Sisters program, open to female-identifying young people between the ages of 6-13 years.
If you think your child is eligible, please fill out our eligibility form. Once you have submitted the form, you will receive an email with next steps.
While all other general intake remains closed, referrals for Big Brothers, Big Sisters, and Big Sibling mentoring programs are still being accepted through our Family Resource Network partners, or for youth and families connected to Children and Family Services.
We are continuing our efforts to recruit more volunteers and we have several opportunities to engage children in additional/alternative programs at sites across the city.
If you have any questions or would like to learn more, please feel free to reach out to Haley Weeks at Haley.Weeks@bgcbigs.ca or call 780-264-7143 — we’d love to hear from you!
Big Brothers Big Sisters or Big Sibling Program
Traditionally known as Big Brothers Big Sisters, our mentoring programs have grown in their diversity over the years. We’ll match your child with a Big Brother, Big Sister, or Big Sibling who will spend time with them out in the community. The focus is on positive role modelling.
In addition, we enroll 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.
Kids Served: Kids between ages 6 and 24.
PRISM (Pride, Respect, Identity, Safety, Mentoring)
PRISM 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!
The purpose of a PRISM match is to:
- Provide role models for 2SLGBTQ+ children and youth
- Foster pride and self-confidence
- Create connections within Edmonton’s 2SLGBTQ+ community
- Offer 2SLGBTQ+ children and youth a safe adult mentor to have conversations with, provide support and celebrate who they are
- and above all, have fun!
To participate in PRISM:
- 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+
- Time commitment of 1 year
To ensure meaningful and supportive matches, there may be a longer wait time for some volunteers as we thoughtfully pair mentors with mentees based on their individual needs.
Enrollment Process
Application Form
At this time we are only accepting new general referrals for our Big Sisters program. Please fill out our eligibility form to receive next steps to apply for your child. We are also accepting referrals from our partners within Family Resource Networks or youth and families with involvement with Children and Family Services. Family Resource Network partners can submit referrals to their BGCBigs contact and any additional referrals can be submitted to Haley Weeks at Haley.Weeks@bgcbigs.ca or call 780-264-7143.
In-Person Interview and Training
We’ll contact you to set up an in-person interview where we’ll get to know the child so we can match them to the best volunteer. The interview typically takes 2 hours. We will also complete the Training with you and your child in the same appointment. We go over important concepts like boundaries and healthy relationships to make sure they’re starting their match off right.
Matching
This is when we find your child a volunteer who is going to be a good fit. When we meet for your interview, we will discuss timelines and factors in finding a match for your child.
Locations Served
Location: Edmonton, Strathcona County, Parkland County, Lac La Biche, Morinville, and St. Albert
Cost: FREE!