John Howard Society of NI (JHSNI)- Campbell River

KidStart exists to strengthen young people’s resilience to challenges they encounter, through activities that build confidence and self esteem, increase connectedness to the community, and increase participation in pro-social activities.

Volunteer mentors spend about 3 hours a week with their little buddies. Volunteers must be at least 19 years old. The kids who get matched in our program are between the ages of 6 and 12 - though many matches continue their friendships into the teen years! Matching is based on hobbies, interests, family information, likes and dislikes, and mentor's previous experiences with youth- we get kids from all different backgrounds and with lots of different interests and welcome volunteers with similarly varied life experiences!

The commitment is for a year or longer, and there is flexibility to take holidays, or for people who work shift work. In general, it’s about 12 hours per month that volunteers hang out with their mentee’s, baking cookies, walking the dog, playing board games, going to community events or doing other things that you enjoy and help them to experience success.

Please call the KidStart Coordinator Jesse Herbach at 250-286-0611 ext. 113, 250-203-3111 or email jesse.herbach@jhsni.bc.ca for more information about this incredibly flexible and heart-warming opportunity today.