In This Section: Program Options | What To Expect
Thank you for your interest in our community-based mentoring programs!
We are pleased to share that we are accepting applications to our Big Brother, Big Sister and PRISM programs for young people in the majority of the Edmonton and areas that we serve. However, there are a few areas that are still closed to applications for male mentees, as our waitlist is at capacity in these specific communities. Please review our application form to see if you live in an eligible area.
We continue to accept referrals from our agency partners in the Family Resource Networks, as well as for young people with Children and Family Services involvement.
For further questions and inquiries, please contact the Community-Based Coordinator, Haley Weeks, at haley.weeks@bgcbigs.ca or call 780-264-7143.
Kids Are the Future
It’s so important for kids to have tools and supports they need to be successful. We know that sometimes parents and caregivers of all kinds can’t do it all by themselves and it’s important that you know we are here to help. Your concern for your child’s well being is demonstrated when you reach out to others.
Big Brothers Big Sisters serves children and youth between the ages of 6 and 24. Regardless of their circumstances and background, we have a program to meet their needs and help them grow into thriving young people. We do that by providing a variety of mentoring and after school programs. Ultimately, we want to provide kids with the healthy relationships and enriching experiences they need to understand their full potential and go out there and grab it.
Program Options
PRISM is a mentoring program designed specifically for the 2SLGBTQ+ community in Edmonton and Area.
The PRISM program matches children and youth who identify as 2SLGBTQ+ with an adult mentor who also identifies as 2SLGBTQ+ for a 1:1 mentoring relationship. Through regular outings, the match will foster a supportive, empowering, and fun friendship!
Community Big Brothers Big Sisters Program
Commonly known as Big Brothers Big Sisters, this program is where the volunteer mentor and mentee spend time together by participating in a variety of activities, such as riding bikes, reading, cooking, going to the park, eating ice cream. Matches will spend time together in their community at convenient times that work for them, typically in the evenings and on weekends
Mentees: Children and youth between the ages of 6-24.
Volunteer Mentors: Adults 18+
In School Mentoring Program
*Note: This program is currently not running, please check back at a later date.
The In-School Mentoring program is where volunteer mentors visit with their mentee, at their school, during school hours, and spend time doing homework, reading, playing games and talking. This program takes place at select schools in St Albert. Click here to see a map of schools that offer this program.
Mentees: Children and youth aged 6-17.
Volunteer mentors: Teens 16+ and Adults 18+
PRISM Program
PRISM is a mentoring program designed specifically for the 2SLGBTQ+ community in Edmonton and Area.
The PRISM program matches children and youth who identify as 2SLGBTQ+ with an adult mentor who also identifies as 2SLGBTQ+ for a 1:1 mentoring relationship. Through regular outings, the match will foster a supportive, empowering, and fun friendship!
Ages Served: Children and youth between ages 6 and 24.
Enrollment Process
1. Application Form
Community-Based Mentoring: We are pleased to share that we are accepting applications to our Big Brother, Big Sister and PRISM programs for young people in the majority of the Edmonton and areas that we serve. However, there are a few areas that are still closed to applications for male mentees, as our waitlist is at capacity in these specific communities. Please review our application form to see if you live in an eligible area.
We continue to accept referrals from our agency partners in the Family Resource Networks, as well as for young people with Children and Family Services involvement.
For further questions and inquiries, please contact the Community-Based Coordinator, Haley Weeks, at haley.weeks@bgcbigs.ca or call 780-264-7143.
In-School Mentoring: Complete the application form by clicking the “Enroll a child” button below. You can see the list of qualifying schools in the application.
2. Consents, Interview and Training
We’ll contact the parent/guardian to set up an in-person interview where we’ll get to know the young person so we can match them to the best volunteer. The interview typically takes 2 hours. We will also complete the Training with the parent/guardian and the young person in the same appointment. We go over important concepts like boundaries, healthy relationships, and safety to make sure they’re starting their match off right.
3. Matching
This is when we find the young person a volunteer who is going to be a good fit. When we meet for the interview, we will discuss timelines and factors in finding a match.