North Vancouver draws people who like being outside and involved in their community, and that's exactly the kind of energy that makes a good mentor. Whether you live in Lynn Valley, Lonsdale, or Deep Cove, or commute over from Vancouver via SeaBus, getting involved with Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver means committing a few hours of your time to a young person who benefits from having a consistent, caring adult in their corner.
Every application is reviewed carefully by our Mentoring Coordinators, who match volunteers with the program that fits their schedule and strengths. From there, you'll receive thorough training and regular check-ins throughout your time as a mentor. You don't need experience working with youth, you need reliability, genuine interest, and a willingness to show up.
We welcome volunteers, families, and youth of all gender identities and expressions, including transgender and gender-diverse community members. North Vancouver offers six mentoring programs, ranging from one-on-one community outings to structured in-school and group formats. Program availability rotates seasonally, and our Mentoring Coordinators can walk you through what's currently running when you apply.
Big Brothers Community Mentoring Program:
The Big Brothers mentoring program provides supportive one-to-one mentoring relationships to children and youth in our local communities. A Mentor is a role model that a Mentee can talk to, learn from, and share experiences with. Through regular weekly outings, a relationship builds on trust, common interests and fun!
The Mentor/Mentee match is monitored and supported by our experienced caseworkers, and the Parent/Guardian, to ensure positive and meaningful relationships. This is a one-year commitment, meeting weekly for 2-4 hours in your local community. The result is an impactful experience for both the Mentor and the Mentee.
In-School Mentoring:
The In-School Mentoring Program provides supportive one-to-one mentoring relationships to children and youth during their school day. The Big Buddies in this program are adult role models that a Mentee can talk to, learn from and share experiences with.
This program runs for the duration of the school year, meeting weekly for one hour during the school day. Matches spend time together on school grounds doing non-academic activities such as playing sports, games, creating art or just hanging out at the playground. Our matches are paired for the duration of the academic school-year.
Game On!:
The Game On! program is a group mentoring program that provides mentees with information and support to make informed choices about a range of healthy lifestyle practices. Through fun physical activities and active play, complemented with balanced eating support and snacks, participants are engaged in life skills, communication, and social-emotional health discussions to encourage a life-long healthy lifestyle.
Game On! is offered throughout the year at schools and community centres throughout Greater Vancouver. Groups meet once weekly, during weekdays, for 90 minutes. This program is led in-person by a mentor for a group of mentees over 8-10 weeks.
Mentoring with Math:
This program is designed to strengthen the impact of tutoring by adding in the element of mentorship. Learning from a Mentor as a positive role model and friend encourages self-esteem and confidence-building for the Mentees as they work through math problems together.
Mentoring with Math aims to support families who are not otherwise able to financially pursue academic support opportunities outside of school. To ensure all families have access to support, please refrain from applying if your child is able to access paid academic support elsewhere. Snacks, math workbooks, and other supplies are provided.
Mentors meet with Littles once-a-week for 90 minutes in-person (throughout Greater Vancouver) or 60 minutes virtually, over 8-10 weeks, and work on numeracy, complete activities, and play games.
Teen Mentoring:
The Teen Mentoring program is an opportunity for secondary school students to build leadership skills and gain experience working with children, by becoming a Mentor to an elementary school student mentee.
The Youth Leadership component of this program empowers the Teen Mentors to be leaders and engages the youth in skill-building workshops, group facilitation, and public speaking opportunities, and community events.
The Teen Mentoring program requires a one-hour weekly commitment, after-school, as well as consistent participation in Youth Leadership, throughout the school year.
Roots Mentoring:
Roots Mentoring amplifies and celebrates Indigenous cultures while learning from the experiences and teachings of Indigenous Community Leaders and honoured guests. We welcome Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth to take part in fostering an environment of curiosity and dialogue to learn from one another and from our honoured guests.
The Roots Program is inspired and informed by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. At BBGV we continue to build a foundation on which strong and collaborative relationships can grow between Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth, mentors, staff, and community partners.
Volunteer FAQs for North Vancouver
Do I need to live in North Vancouver to volunteer there?
Not necessarily. Many volunteers commute from Vancouver via SeaBus or bus and mentor youth in the North Shore area. What matters most is that you can commit consistently to your program's schedule.
How much time does volunteering actually take each week?
It depends on the program. The Big Brothers Community Mentoring program involves 2-4 hours per week for one year, meeting one-on-one with your mentee in the community. In-school and group programs like Game On! and Mentoring with Math meet once a week for 60-90 minutes, typically during the school year.
What happens after I submit my application?
You'll be invited to an interview with one of our Mentoring Coordinators, followed by mandatory training and a criminal record check. Once that's complete, matching typically takes 4-6 weeks, though timelines can vary by program and current availability.
Do I need experience working with kids?
No prior experience is required. Training covers mentorship fundamentals, communication, safety, and what to expect in your specific program. Your Mentoring Coordinator remains available throughout your volunteer experience for guidance and support.
What kinds of activities do mentors and youth do together?
In structured programs like In-School Mentoring, Game On!, and Mentoring with Math, activities happen at a school or rec center and are organized by program staff. The Big Brothers Community Mentoring program is more open-ended — mentors and their matched youth choose activities together, and Big Brothers provides monthly suggestions for free and low-cost things to do across the North Shore and broader Metro Vancouver area.
Can I specify which program I'd like to join?
Yes, you can indicate your preference during the application process. Final placement depends on current availability and what's the best fit for both you and the young person you'd be matched with.