VOLUNTEER MENTOR- NIAGARA

Our no-cost to families mentoring programs strive to reach young people who are facing adversity and are in need of an additional, supportive relationship. Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies formally match young people with an adult, volunteer Mentor. Mentors are professionally trained and supported to ignite the unique power and potential of each Mentee. Big Brothers Big Sisters provides every match with access to a professional Caseworker who provides support to the mentee, mentor and family. Current research suggests that young people are more likely to flourish when they are embedded in a web of relationships with supportive, caring adults. This is the essence of Big Brothers Big Sisters programs  – providing the relationships that young people need to succeed and realize their full potential!


Community Based Mentoring Programs occur in the community setting and provide children and youth ages 6-18 years old (mentee) with an additional, caring and consistent adult (ages 18 +) role model (mentor) to talk and share the experiences of growing up with.  The pair build a healthy, caring relationship that is supported by our experienced mentoring coordinators and can last a lifetime.
Commitment: 2-4 hours a week
Commitment Period: Minimum of One Year
Requirements: Over the age of 18 years old, license & access to a vehicle, resident of Canada for over 6 months


Our In-School Mentoring (ISM) program matches children and youth (in grades 1-8), identified as needing additional support, with Mentors who act as a role model and friend. Mentors meet with their Mentee at their school and engage in activities such as board games, crafts, sports, cooking and more. Common referral reasons include: lack of school engagement or poor school attendance, lack of self-confidence/self-esteem, lack of social skills or friendships, experience with bullying others or being bullied and lack of respect for authority figures.
Commitment: One hour a week
Commitment Period: One School Year 
Requirements: Over the age of 18 years old, resident of Canada for over 6 months


Big For A Day volunteers bring clients to these staff-led activities, and volunteers are asked to commit to a minimum of 4 outings per year. Sometimes, Big Brothers Big Sisters is not able to match children and youth with a one-to-one mentor immediately. These children and youth are assigned to the “waiting list” until a suitable mentor is found.  Occurring on a bi-monthly basis, these events and opportunities are planned in order to provide meaningful engagement, a sense of belonging and involvement while our clients wait for their 1:1 Mentor.
Requirements: Over the age of 18 years old, license & access to a vehicle, resident of Canada for over 6 months


Group Programs are for students ages 11-14 and are programs that on average, focus on achieving health bodies and healthy minds. They are all typically held over a 7-10 week period in local schools and community partner settings. Additional goals for the program include healthy lifestyles, goal setting, risk management, friendship building and emotional wellbeing.
Commitment: 1.5 hrs per week
Commitment Period: 7-10 weeks
Requirements: Over the age of 18 years old, resident of Canada for over 6 months


Young Parent Mentoring Program matches young parents, aged 25 and under, with a caring mentor for bi-weekly social engagement and mentoring. The program is founded on the premise that a happier, healthier young parent will lead to better educational, social, and emotional outcomes for not only themselves, but for their child as well. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Niagara works alongside numerous community partners for the implementation of this program, allowing the young parents to be more connected to opportunities and the larger community of Niagara.
Commitment: 2-4 hours a week
Commitment Period: Minimum of One Year
Requirements: Over the age of 18 years old, license & access to a vehicle, resident of Canada for over 6 months