FAQ

Mentoring is being available as a friend to a Mentee. Mentors make a difference in so many different ways by offering friendship, support, and consistency. When mentees have someone outside of the family who is in their corner, their chances for success increase substantially.

Visit our Programs page for more detailed information about each of our programs.

Mentors are adults, age 18 and older.

We take on mentees between the ages of 6 and 18 – Once a mentee turns 18 their match closes, as they’re officially an adult.

The kind of activities that you both enjoy! Some matches want structure and others want to go with the flow. The key is to be consistent and open to new ideas. If you need help with ideas, your caseworker can assist with the process. If you’d like some suggestions, please visit the Resources menu.

What if I need support with an issue in my Match?

If you are someone who has a passion for being with children and youth or giving back to your community, that is a good start.

Continue reading through these FAQ’s to get a better sense of what mentoring is about and if you think you will enjoy it.

You may also wish to contact us to get answers to other questions you may have.

Possibly. Certain agencies offer mentoring opportunities for teenagers. Contact us to find out what is available

Most definitely! Most Big Brothers Big Sisters programs have no upper age limit to volunteering  – just be prepared to get in touch with your inner child!

Yes! It doesn’t take much knowledge or experience to be a friend and positive role model, and the caseworker is always there to support you.

This depends on the agency policies as well as the program you are volunteering for. This is something you should discuss with your caseworker prior to being matched.

Most likely, yes. Reach out to us for volunteer opportunities that may better suit your schedule.

There is likely a program that might work for you. You may also want to start out by volunteering in another way, for example by helping the agency out with a fundraising event.

You can complete our online application form, or reach out to the staff for an application package. This package must be completed and signed by a parent/legal guardian before we are able to proceed with the enrollment. Our staff will reach out to learn more about your child and schedule an intake meeting.

We will meet with the parent/guardian to complete an intake (about 1 hour). We then will meet with the child to complete a short intake (30 minutes). We also will complete mandatory training on child safety and agency policies to ensure a FUN and SAFE match for everyone with both the parent/guardian and the youth. Once this is completed, your child will be placed on our waitlist. 

Our waitlist is not on a first-come, first-serve basis. We match according to location, age, gender, and personalities Once a mentor becomes available that would best suit your child; we will contact you.

It depends! Many factors determine this. While your child is on the waitlist, our caseworkers will contact you regarding any potential service referrals, local programming, or group programming offered. We offer group programs through the school year. Youth on the waitlist receive priority for group programs.

We ask for a minimum commitment of 1 year for both family and volunteer for a match. Once a mentor has been selected, we will contact you and tell you about them. We will give you a chance to speak to your child about the potential mentor. If both you and your child wish to move forward, your caseworker will set up a match meet where you, your child, the mentor, and your caseworker will be in attendance. After the match meet, your caseworker will regularly check in with you, your child, and the mentor to see how the match is going and to offer any support needed.

We have an online inquiry form, or the mentor application page is available for you to fill out. This will be submitted to our team. Once we receive either the inquiry or the application, one of our caseworkers will contact you to chat more about your interest and the process and ask for a criminal record check and vulnerable sector check. Once we receive the application, we will follow up with the references provided. After that reference checks are completed, we will then contact you and set up a time for an in-person interview, where we complete the interview as well as mandatory training. Once all these steps are completed and you have been formally notified of your acceptance, our caseworkers will set up a match with you!

No. Our priority is making sure matches are safe and successful. As prospective mentors go through the application and assessment process, the agency may determine that mentoring is not right for them. Prospective mentors themselves may also decide the time is not right to take on this role.

Part of your application package will include a letter from the agency for you to submit to the OPP for your record check. Please visit opp.ca to begin the police record check process once you have your letter from the agency.

Your caseworker will consider the children waiting to be matched and their needs and interests to choose a mentee for you that they feel has the best chance for success! A meeting will be scheduled for the mentee and their family, the mentor, and the caseworker to get to know one another and officially begin your match!

The application process time varies – reference checks must be scheduled and completed, the police record check must be completed and returned, and a final interview all need to take place before the matching can begin. This can take anywhere from 2 to 12 weeks.