Volunteer Opportunities
Adult Volunteer Opportunities
Our adult volunteers are over the age of 18 and care about the children in their community. Click to learn more about the programs you can volunteer with.
Teen Volunteer Opportunities
Our Teen volunteers include High school students who would like extra credit, leadership experience, and friendship with a younger child. If you are interested click to learn more.
JOURNEY TO BECOME A MENTOR
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Edmonton and Area. Ready to start and want to learn more about the process of becoming a mentor, follow the road map below!
Application Form
Submit your online application form below. Please note we require three references so have those hand before you start.
Submit ApplicationOnline Training
Complete your online training through the Alberta Mentoring Partnership below.
In-Person Interview
We’ll contact you to set up an in-person interview where we’ll get to know you, learn why you want to mentor, and make sure you’re in the program that’s the best fit for your goals, skills, and lifestyle. The interview typically takes 2 hours. (Interviews are 1 hour for Behind the Scenes Volunteers.)
In-Person Training
We’ll will contact you to set up your in-person training. Training typically takes 2 hours and we have multiple sessions available each week to fit your schedule. (This is not necessary for Behind The Scenes Volunteers.)
Background Checks
After you come in for your interview/training, we’ll provide you with the paperwork to complete a Police Information Check and a Child & Family Services Check.
References
We’ll contact your references by phone or email.
Matching
We’ll contact you and let you know that you’re accepted! With our Bigs in the Community program it can take some time to match you to a child as we take care to make sure you’ll get along and have lots in common.
Lets start mentoring!
BGCBigs Volunteers Change Lives.
The change is usually small at first. Summoning the courage to order their own meal at a restaurant or learning how to take deep breaths when they’re upset. But that change grows with the child. It becomes confidence and hope. It becomes improved grades in school and a high school diploma. It becomes an unwillingness to dabble in negative behaviours like drugs, alcohol, and bullying. And one day, that child becomes a successful, thriving adult.
Boys & Girls Clubs Big Brothers Big Sisters (BGCBigs) is so fortunate to have the help of over 3,000 caring volunteers. Without volunteers, children and youth wouldn’t have the tools and supports they need to become successful. Those tools and support come from our mentoring and after-school programs. Using those, we can provide children & youth with the healthy relationships and enriching experiences they need to understand their full potential and go out there and grab it. Our volunteers dedicate their time and efforts to spending time with a single child or a group of children or volunteering with us behind the scenes.
Interested in learning more?
Join our weekly Volunteer Virtual Open House! Running every Tuesday 5:30 pm-6:30 pm & Thursday 1-2 pm.
BGCBigs Volunteer Journey:
What To Expect
Our Role
- Ensure the safety of our children and youth and our volunteers.
- Work with you to match you with a young person or program where your interests and availability are considered.
- Assign a direct contact person to provide support and establish expectations and follow up requirements.
- Provide orientation and training so you know what to expect.
- Help you be successful!
Your Role
- Build a special friendship with a young person and have fun together.
- Talk, listen, support, guide, encourage – believe in them and help them believe in themselves.
- Keep others informed about what you’re doing.
- Keep in touch with your staff contact person and ask questions as they arise. We also really like hearing about your experiences!
- Provide a safe, responsible environment for the child in your care.
- Be a mentor, a role model to a child