What Is A Mentor?
Think back to when you were growing up. Was there someone, other than your parents - maybe a neighbour, a family friend, an aunt or uncle, a coach - who shared time with you and made you feel special? When you become a mentor, you can do the same for a young person.
It's about sharing time: playing catch, reading a book or watching movies and making popcorn.
Through our enrolment process, we get to know you so we can find the best match for you. We match you with a young person who has common interests, location and time considerations. Your Mentoring Coordinator at BBBS will be there to cheer you on and help you out if you need it.
Who are our volunteer Big Brothers and Big Sisters?
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Kind, caring people from all walks of life
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People who want to have a little fun with a young person
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A friend to a youth
Big Brothers and Big Sisters are not:
Will being a mentor cost money?
Cost varies by program, we encourage free and low-cost activities such as going for a walk, a bike ride, playing soccer or baking cookies. We provides 2 for 1 coupons for our volunteers, occasional free for tickets for events (theatre, sports and cultural events), as well as functions sponsored by our agency.
Your Role and Our Role:
Your Role as a Big Brother or Big Sister:
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Build a special friendship with a young person and have fun together
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Take the lead in establishing the friendship
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Talk, listen, support, guide, encourage - believe in them and help them believe in themselves
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Keep others informed about what you're doing. In most of our programs, you communicate directly with the families involved and our staff. Bigs in our school programs communicate with staff at the school and staff at our agency
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Volunteers who pick-up and return their young person, access to a vehicle with ($1 million liability) is necessary
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Keep in touch with your Mentoring Coordinator and ask questions you might have. We also enjoy hearing about the fun you've been having.
Our Role:
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Be there for you
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Assign a Mentoring Coordinator to you
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Do our best to match you with a young person who shares your interests, location and schedule
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Depending on the program you choose, your Mentoring Coordinator will keep in touch with you through phone calls and visits according to our follow-up schedule
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Send you a tri-annual newsletter
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Send you a monthly e-bulletin with activity ideas for you and your Little, as well as various events that you and your Little can attend
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Help make your match successful
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Cheer you on and help you out if you need it!
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Send you information on opportunities in the community to share with your young person
No matter which program you choose, we'll be here for you!
Benefits of Mentoring
Being a mentor is about having fun. It's about sharing time and exploring the world together. A mentor provides inspiration, acceptance, challenge, a sympathetic ear and exposure to new ideas and activities. It's about sharing little moments to create big magic!
Having a mentor makes a big difference to a young person. Youth matched with Bigs are:
52% less likely to skip school.
80% more likely to finish high school
46% less likely to use drugs
27% less likely to use alcohol
Even sharing just one hour a week as a school-based Big has a huge impact on a student:
64% of students with a mentor developed more positive attitudes toward school
58% achieved higher grades in social studies, language and math
60% improved relationships with adults
56% improved relationships with peers.
Many organizations support our school-based mentoring programs by giving staff time off to make a difference in the life of a young person. Mentoring benefits the youth, the mentor and the mentor's employer.
Children and youth matched with Bigs show improved:
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Confidence, self-esteem and sense of hope
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Academic grades
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School attendance
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Interactions with peers, parents and teachers
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Social and communication skills
People who volunteer tend to be:
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Happy, healthy, fulfilled
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Conscientious, productive
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Stress-free with a positive outlook on life
The employer gains by:
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An enhanced image in the community
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Attracting future employees
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Contributing to the development of healthy children and a stronger community
When an organization encourages its employees to volunteer, it:
An unexpected benefit for some companies is that the mentors blossom and take on new job responsibilities and leadership roles - essentially mentoring their co-workers.
Frequently Asked Question's
Me? A Mentor?
Yes, you! It's really simple. All you need to do is have fun with a young person doing stuff you already do or want to do - like play soccer, play video games, bake cookies, enjoy free tickets to events, or watch TV. You decide!
I am so busy. How will I find the time?
Each one of our volunteers leads a busy life but they find that the time spent with a young person is one of the most enjoyable and rewarding parts of their life. The time commitment varies, from as little as one hour a week to three to four hours a week. There is a program to suit your life and lifestyle.
"It's my mental-health vacation," is how one long term Big Brother puts it.
Can I make the one year commitment to a youth?
Our volunteers find the commitment is a pleasure and not a chore. More than 95% of our matches complete the first year successfully and our average match lasts more than three years. More than half our matches are in touch after 10 years!
What's in it for me?
For a few hours a month you get to feel young again! The perspective you gain as a Mentor will brighten your world. Even better, you'll make a big difference in your community and in the life of a young person. You'll enjoy the satisfaction of helping a young person improve their social skills and self-confidence. People who volunteer tend to be fulfilled, happy, optimistic, conscientious and productive - and they ensure their other responsibilities are met.
How do I know I'll get along with this young person?
We get to know you first so we can find the best match for you. We are one of the largest Big Brother Big Sister agencies in Canada and we base our matches on your common interests and time considerations.
Can I really do this?
Yes! If you can be a good friend to a young person, you can be a great Mentor.
I don't know much about children and youth, is that okay?
You bet! Behind the scenes, you'll have our team of Mentoring Coordinators cheering you on and helping you out if you need it.
Do I need a vehicle?
Mentors in the Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Big Couples and Recreation Mentoring programs are encouraged to have access to a vehicle with $1 million liability or have another reliable source of transportation (for example, public transit).
What if I can't make it every week?
No problem, just let your Mentoring Coordinator and your young friend know ahead of time when you will see him or her next.
Are overnight visits allowed?
We do not permit, authorize or otherwise approve of any overnight visits between Big and Littles
under any circumstances, including (without limitation) circumstances in which
the parent of any Little has consented to such overnight visit.
Can I smoke or drink alcohol when I'm with my young person?
No, we ask our Mentors not to use tobacco or alcohol while with their young person.
I'm not sure I want to be a Mentor but would still like to volunteer for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Calgary and Area. Are there other Volunteer Opportunities?
Yes! Big Brother Big Sisters of Calgary has a growing support volunteer program. Opportunities include:
- Event volunteers
- Administrative/Office volunteers
- Committees
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BIG Ambassadors
If you would like further information about volunteering with us, please call
(403) 777-3535.
