Apr2
Due to the overwhelming request for mentorship, as of April 1st, 2025, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Red Deer & District (BBBS) is temporarily pausing intakes to the community-based mentoring waitlist so that focus can be directed at finding mentors for the 100+ kids currently on the list. Referrals for families and youth with involvement with Child and Family Services (or who are at risk of involvement) will continue to be accepted.
With over 100 unique and amazing kids on the waiting list, the opportunity to become a mentor and ignite the power and potential of a young person in our community has never been better. Mentors and mentees in the BBBS Program are matched based on interest and personality, rather than a “first-come first-serve” basis. This is done to ensure a genuine connection between mentor and mentee that will last. After completing the screening process, prospective mentors meet some of the children on the waiting list, to see what kind of connections could form and a match is chosen. Once the match has been chosen, the mentor and mentee typically meet multiple times a month and do whatever activities the pair agree on. For a mentoring relationship, BBBS asks the mentor to volunteer around 4-6 hours a month to engage in activities and connect with their mentee. This minimal and flexible commitment offers tremendous benefit to both the mentor and the mentee.
“It’s hard to believe it’s been almost a year since I was matched with Hannah. At first, Hannah was a bit shy during our initial meetups, but as we spent more time together, her wonderful personality began to shine,” said one mentor. “One of the most memorable moments was during a swimming outing. I witnessed Hannah’s kindness and compassion firsthand. There was a young boy who was hesitant to go down the water slide, clearly scared. Without hesitation, Hannah approached him, offering encouragement and reassurance. She even demonstrated how fun and safe it was, helping him overcome his fear. Seeing Hannah’s empathy and bravery in that moment made me incredibly proud to be her Big Sister. Our journey together has been filled with such heartwarming experiences, and I look forward to many more.”
More information about becoming a mentor can be found at https://youthhq.ca/become-a-mentor/ or by contacting Janessa at [email protected] or 403-342-6500.