Community Mentoring
PLEASE NOTE:
At this time, general intake to our Community-based programs are closed.
This includes our Big Brother, Big Sister, Big Sibling and PRISM programs.
However, we’re still accepting new referrals to these programs through our Family Resource Network partners and Child & Family Services.
BGC Bigs is associated with the following 4 FRN’s in the city: Castledowns YMCA (FRN North Central), Jasper Place Family Resource Centre (West FRN), Family Futures Resource Network (South East FRN), and Multicultural Health Brokers Co-op Ltd (Intercultural FRN), as well as 2 in surrounding areas: Family and Community Services in Sherwood Park, and Alberta Parenting for the Futures in Stony Plain.
Please contact Tia Galarneau, Youth Engagement Facilitator, for an application at Tia.Galarneau@bgcbigs.ca or call 780-264-7143.
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
MYYAC (Mentoring Youth and Young Adults from Care)
MYYAC is designed for young people who are transitioning out of care and seeking a positive, supportive mentoring relationship to help them achieve their goals. Mentorship plays a vital role in supporting youth and young adults as they navigate their transition to independence and adulthood.
Who can apply:
- Young people between 16-24 years old
- Has current ‘in-care’ legal status (including Enhancement Agreement with Youth) or a TAP Agreement with CFS
- Have had an active/open ‘in-care’ CFS or TAP status within the last 5 years
How to apply:
- Please contact our Youth Development Supervisor, Ashley Berube, by phone at 780-822-2543 or by email at ashley.berube@bgcbigs.ca