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Roots Mentoring

Roots Mentoring

An indigenous woman makes crafts on a table

The Roots Mentoring program provides children in grades 1-6 with a Teen Mentor that will act as a positive role model and friend in their learning. Matches meet in a group setting and are supported by a Mentoring Coordinator.

The Teen Mentors in the Roots Mentoring program also participate in the Youth Leadership component of the Teen Mentoring program, which empowers and encourages them to be leaders, and engages the youth in skill-building workshops, group facilitation, and public speaking opportunities, and community events.

The Roots mentoring program requires a weekly one-hour commitment of mentoring after-school and consistent participation in Youth Leadership, throughout the school year.

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.

Who can be a Teen Mentor?

  •   All genders in grade 9-12
  •   Any student in Greater Vancouver

Who can be a Little Buddy?

  •  All genders in grade 1-7
  •  Any student in Greater Vancouver

What are the requirements?

  •   1 hour/week
  •   1 school year commitment
  •   1-to-1 time

The Benefits to the Volunteer

  • Gain volunteer hours towards graduation
  • Develop leadership skills and build your resume
  • Make new friends
  • A fun way to make a huge impact in your community

The Benefits to the Child

  • Increased self-confidence and self-esteem
  • Improved decision-making skills
  • Improved ability to express feelings
  • Less likely to bully or be bullied.

Interested in Joining?

Simply click on one of the buttons below.

For more information regarding enrolling your child into this program, please contact Danielle Olson, Roots Program and Curriculum Lead and Supervisor at danielle.olson@bigbrothersbigsisters.ca, or via phone at 604-802-8839.

Teen Mentoring

A group of teens pose for a selfie photo

The Teen Mentoring program provides children in grades 1-7 with a Teen Mentor who is a positive role model and friend. We create one-to-one Mentor and Mentee Matches, who spend time getting to know one another, while in a group setting supported by a Mentoring Coordinator.

The Teen Mentor and Mentee build a bond and friendship by engaging in activities such as board games, sports, or just hanging out. The focus of the program is to enhance the Mentee’s self-esteem and confidence. In addition, our Teen Mentors also benefit from improved leadership skills and their interest in volunteerism.

All of our mentors in this program receive further opportunities for learning through our Youth Leadership initiatives. This program aims to further support teens in our programs and to offer them additional opportunities to develop leadership skills that they can apply in their everyday lives. These leadership skills include conflict resolution, activity planning, career planning, mindfulness, and child development. We have seen these youth who are given additional training able to mentor more effectively and receive more life skills through a higher level of participation in their program.

Who can be a Teen Mentor?

  •   All genders in grade 9-12
  •   Any student in Greater Vancouver

Who can be a Little Buddy?

  •  All genders in grade 1-7
  •  Any student in Greater Vancouver

For more information regarding enrolling your child into this program, please contact Angela Rodriguez, Teen and Youth Leadership Program Coordinator at angela.rodriguez@bigbrothersbigsisters.ca, or via phone at 604.202.6111 .

What are the requirements?

  •   1 hour/week
  •   1 school year commitment
  •   1-to-1 time

The Benefits to the Volunteer

  • Gain volunteer hours towards graduation
  • Develop leadership skills and build your resume
  • Make new friends
  • A fun way to make a huge impact in your community

The Benefits to the Child

  • Increased self-confidence and self-esteem
  • Improved decision-making skills
  • Improved ability to express feelings
  • Less likely to bully or be bullied.

Interested in Joining?

Simply click on one of the buttons below.

Want to hear from a Teen Mentor?

Here is Salwa telling us why she volunteers with Big Brothers.

A woman swings on a playset in a playground

In-School Mentoring

A woman a girl in a classroom

The In-School Mentoring Program provides supportive one-to-one mentoring relationships to children and youth during their school day.

Mentoring relationships build a connection through play-based activities. Each session is child-led, based on the mentee’s interests, and may include exploring the playground, cooking in the school kitchen, playing sports, or checking out arts & crafts and board games in our very own ‘Big & Little Activity Bins'.

Who can be a Mentor?

  • Adults 18+, inclusive of male, female, trans, and gender diverse individuals.​
  • Inclusive and welcoming of Mentors of all sexual orientations.
  • Reliability, consistency, dedication, and respectfulness of others.

What are the requirements?

  • Available 1 hour per week during school hours (weekdays between 10am and 3pm).
  • Available for the duration of a school year (excluding school breaks).
  • Able to express care, challenge growth, provide support, share power, affirm identity, and expand possibilities with a child or youth.

Who are the Little Buddies?

  • All grade 1-7 elementary students nominated by teachers or school staff, or self-nominated after learning of the program.
  • Will benefit from having an additional caring adult role model in their lives.

Big Brothers

A boy and a man sitting at a baseball diamond

The Big Brothers mentoring program provides supportive one-to-one mentoring relationships to children and youth in our local communities.  This program pairs volunteers with a Little Brother in their community based on personality and personal interests. A Big Brother 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 relationship is monitored and supported by our experienced Mentoring Coordinator staff as well as the Parent or Guardian. Together we ensure the development of a positive and meaningful relationship. The result is an impactful experience for both the Mentor and the Mentee.

Who can be a Big Brothers Mentor?

  • Male, trans, and gender diverse individuals who are 18+. ​
  • Inclusive and welcoming of Mentors of all sexual orientations.
  • Reliability, consistency, dedication, and respectfulness of others.

What are the requirements?

  • A one-year commitment to one-to-one mentoring.
  • Able to meet weekly for 2-4 hours with a Mentee.
  • Able to express care, challenge growth, provide support, share power, affirm identity, and expand possibilities with a child or youth.

Who are the Little Brother Mentees?

  • Boys, trans, and gender diverse children and youth between the ages of 7 and 17 years old.
  • Will benefit from having an additional caring adult role model in their lives.
Scott-Pearson

Want to hear a volunteer's perspective?

We sat down with Big Brother Volunteer, Scott and learned about why he loves to spend his time volunteering with Big Brothers.

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