Port Coquitlam is a family-oriented community, and that makes it a natural fit for mentoring. Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver connects volunteers here with young people aged 7-17 through six programs, each designed to work within the rhythm of a regular week rather than ask for time most people don't have.
Mentoring Coordinators manage the full process — application review, interviewing, training, and matching. Structured programs like In-School Mentoring, Game On!, and Mentoring with Math run at schools and rec centers across Port Coquitlam on set weekly schedules. The Big Brothers Community Mentoring program is more flexible, pairing you one-on-one with a young person and giving you space to build a relationship on your own terms. The Evergreen Extension connects Port Coquitlam to the broader SkyTrain network, making the area reachable for volunteers coming from Coquitlam, Burnaby, and Vancouver.
We welcome volunteers, families, and youth of all gender identities and expressions, including transgender and gender-diverse community members. Programs rotate seasonally, and our Mentoring Coordinators can walk you through what's currently available when you get in touch.
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 Port Coquitlam
What's the easiest program to start with as a first-time volunteer?
If you're new to mentoring, shorter-term programs like Game On! and Mentoring with Math are a practical starting point. Both run over 8-10 weeks at a set location with structured activities, so there's less ambiguity about what you're doing and when. The Big Brothers Community Mentoring program is a fuller one-year commitment and suits volunteers who are ready to take that on from the start.
Do structured programs require me to plan activities?
No. In-school and group programs run at a set location with activities organized by program staff. Your role is to show up, engage with the young people, and build connection within that structure. The Big Brothers Community Mentoring program is the one where you and your mentee decide together what to do.
What screening is involved?
All volunteers complete an application, interview, mandatory training, reference checks, and a criminal record check. These steps apply across every program and every location.
How long before I'm matched after applying?
Matching typically takes 4-6 weeks after you finish your interview and training. Timelines vary by program and what's currently available in Port Coquitlam.
Can I volunteer here if I live in Coquitlam or another Tri-Cities area?
Yes. Volunteers regularly cross between Tri-Cities communities. The Evergreen Extension and local bus routes make it straightforward to get between Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam, and Port Moody.