OUR PROGRAMS Our Mentors and Mentees represent a diversity of backgrounds, experiences, abilities, and identities. Our programs welcome volunteers, children, youth, and families of all sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, including trans, non-binary, and gender-fluid individuals.
Big Brothers Community Program This program provides supportive one-to-one mentoring for children ages 7-17 with an adult volunteer role model. A Mentor is a person 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. This is a one-year commitment, meeting weekly for 2-4 hours in your local community. Big and Little Brothers spend quality time together doing free or low cost activities. We provide activity ideas and free tickets to community events. The result is an impactful experience for both the Mentor and the Mentee.
In-School Mentoring This program matches children with adult volunteers to provide supportive and meaningful one-to-one mentoring relationships. The Big and Little Buddies meet for one hour per week during the school day to build a connection through play-based, child-led activities. Little Buddies are nominated by school staff as students who could benefit from an extra layer of support. Big Buddy volunteer opportunities are open to any adults aged 18+ who can express care, challenge growth, provide support, and expand possibilities with a child or youth.
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BIG BROTHERS OF GREATER VANCOUVER | ANNUAL REPORT - FISCAL 2022
Teen Mentoring This fun after-school program matches elementary-aged children with a teen Big Buddy from a nearby high school. Little Buddies are nominated by school staff as students who could benefit from an extra layer of support. The Big and Little Buddies meet once a week on school grounds (or virtually) to engage in fun-based activities within a group setting. The program has been shown to improve self-esteem, confidence, social skills and connectedness to school for the Little Buddy, whilst the Big Buddy is able to develop practical skills such as communication, facilitation, reliability, and consistency.
Youth Leadership The goal of the Youth Leadership program is to provide teen mentors with additional opportunities to grow as well rounded mentors and build practical skills that enable them to become leaders in their communities. The program has grown over the years from individual workshops offered to the teens through the Teen Mentoring program, to monthly interactive and engaging sessions that are open to all teens across our mentoring programs. The skills developed through Youth Leadership include conflict resolution, leadership skills, career planning, resume building, activity planning, mindfulness, post-secondary education applications, and much more.
Game On! The Game On! program is a group mentoring program that provides 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 an 8-week program, once a week for 90 minutes, and is offered throughout the year at schools and community centres throughout Greater Vancouver.
