Community Mentoring
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-to-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
We are now accepting PRISM applications for young people seeking mentors.
Please contact our PRISM facilitator, Holly Lassesen by phone at 780-860-2570 or by email at holly.lassesen@bgcbigs.ca to apply, or to get more information about the program.
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!