Big Brothers Big Sisters Sunshine Coast

 

The In-School Mentoring Program

This innovative program allows both male and female adult volunteers to spend one hour each week on school grounds with a Little Buddy who has been identified by teachers as needing a bit of one-to-one time. Volunteers and elementary school aged children play games and sports, do arts and crafts or hang  out on the playground.  We find sometimes that’s all it takes to heighten a child’s self-esteem.  Weekly visits take place on school grounds during school hours and only during the school year.  What better way to spend your lunch hour or break? 

This program is friendship-based and non-academic. Volunteers are not required to have any special skills or previous experience working with kids.  In fact, volunteers regularly report feeling they gained  more experience and personal reward than ever expected.  It is also great stress relief, as well as a fun easy way to make a difference in the community.  +read more

Our History

Since its establishment as a satellite agency of Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver in January 2009,  Big Brothers Big Sisters Sunshine Coast has realized immense growth.  Since the introduction of the In-School Mentoring Program in May of 2009, 16 children have been matched with positive adult mentors. As we look forward to the 2011/12 school year, we hope to recruit more volunteers and help even more children.

To ensure that the program and matches  are well-supported, a dedicated Mentoring Coordinator visits the Sunshine Coast monthly, working with school liaisons to match children with mentors and enhancing existing matches.   The program is currently offered at:

• Gibsons Elementary
• Cedar Grove Elementary
• West Sechelt Elementary
• Kinnikinnick Elementary
  
  

“The day of each weekly visit, like clockwork Little Buddy Jake peeks around the school door nearly every minute looking to see if his Big Buddy mentor Carol has arrived.”

Adopt a School

If volunteering isn’t the best fit for you, funding may be the ideal way for you to support the program in your community.  To learn more about how you can adopt a school for one year, contact Valerie Lambert at 604.876.2447 x223 or valerie.lambert@bigbrothersbigsisters.ca

Click here to see a list of current adopters.

A special thanks to Wheatberries Bakery for hosting an Art Show and displaying art pieces created by our In-School Mentors and their Little Buddies.



CONTACT US:

Sunshine Coast
Tel: 604.876.2447 x236
Fax: 604.876.2446
rbaraty@bigbrothersvancouver.com

• Volunteer
• Find a Mentor