"Nathan told me today that he 'loves Fridays.' When I asked him why, he said it’s because he gets to see [his Big Buddy]. I think the program is great and appreciate all [his Big Buddy] has done for him. Thanks!" - Pat, parent

Program Description

This is a one-to-one encouragement program for boys and girls in grades 1-6. A child and his/her mentor meet for one hour a week at the child's school to play games, play sports, do arts and crafts, or just hang out in the playground. Volunteers meet with their Little Buddies for one year (but they do not meet over the summer break or during other school holidays).

This program is a co-operative effort between local business, school boards and Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver. It is currently in place in the school districts of Burnaby, Coquitlam, North Vancouver, Squamish, Surrey and Vancouver.

FAQ's

Who can volunteer?

You can! A typical volunteer is a caring responsible man or woman who is over the age of 19. Our volunteers come from a variety of religious or cultural backgrounds and from all walks of life. There are no special skills required – only a willingness to spend some time with a young person.

What is the commitment of an In-School Mentor?

In the elementary school option, Big Buddies are asked to spend an hour per week with their Little Buddies and commit for one year.

Is there an age limit for a Big Buddy?

The minimum age for a Big Buddy is 19. There is no maximum age limit, as long as the volunteer is in good health and maintains an active lifestyle.

How old are the Little Buddies?

The children are in grades 1-6, and are approximately 6-12 years old.

What are the children’s backgrounds?

The one thing they have in common is that they have been identified as children that could benefit from the friendship and extra attention from a caring, stable adult.

Our program is friendship based and is not designed as a form of intervention for serious individual or family problems. The children are not experiencing any emotional or behavioural difficulties.

In what areas does the program operate?

The program is run in partnership with school districts, and is currently operating in the Burnaby, Coquitlam, North Vancouver, Surrey, Squamish and Vancouver school districts.

What do the kids like to do?

As you will meet on school property, you have access to the school’s facilities. You & your Little Buddy may choose to play outside, shoot hoops, or kick a soccer ball around. Or you can stay inside and read, do arts and crafts, play computer games, or just hang out.

We make every effort to match Big & Little Buddies based on common interests and similar personalities. This will give you a foundation for your friendship.

Does the agency stay involved once the match is made?

Yes. We provide on-going support and monitoring. Each Big Buddy has a mentoring coordinator who is available to deal with any questions or concerns that come up. Regular phone contact is an expectation of the program as are regularly scheduled meetings to discuss the progress of the match.

At the school, there is also a liaison person so if anything comes up during your meetings with your Little Buddy, there is someone who can immediately help you.

Click here to register

Volunteer Application Form – apply online now!