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Celebrating its 50th anniversary, Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Island (BBBS West Island) has been providing programs to West Island youth, by providing children, teenagers, and young adults with role models that they can talk to and help them through the everyday challenges of growing up.

Acting as both friend and mentor, a Big Brother or Big Sister is someone a young person can count on to have their back, be a person they can rely on, introduce them to new experiences and opportunities, and be a safe, nonjudgmental resource to confide in.

Big Brothers Big Sisters offers a variety of programs to create a perfect match between a young person and their older “sibling.” In a traditional mentoring scenario, a young person is paired with a mentor who is at least 18 years old, meeting on a mutually agreed upon schedule, enjoying a chance to talk with a person who can relate to what it’s like growing up.

In-school mentoring for children in elementary school pairs a volunteer 16 years of age or older with a child within a school environment to build trust while engaging in fun activities and providing opportunities to talk and connect.

For people who would feel more comfortable volunteering with other Big Brothers or Big Sisters, there are also options for mentoring with other like-minded individuals in a group mentoring setting. With two different age divisions for elementary or high school students, BBBS West Island organizes fun, interactive, age-appropriate activity sessions with the aim of improving the mentee’s life skills, such as decision-making, financial literacy, and communication. A similar group mentoring option is team mentoring, where 1-2 mentors will work together with 2-4 mentees with similar interests. In this program, youth learn to support one another and develop leadership and teamwork skills.

For volunteers looking for a mentee who is a bit older but who would still benefit from having someone they can trust in their lives, BBBS West Island pairs mentors with young people ages 16 to 21 who receive services from the Youth Protection Act or have experienced foster care. These mentees are matched with a Big Brother/Sister whose positive influence will help guide them into adulthood.

A Big Brother or Big Sister can start volunteering as young as 16 years old, and the time commitment varies according to the type of mentorship, with some requiring only one hour each week or bimonthly meetups, while others meet 3-4 hours every few months. A one-year commitment is asked of all mentors, because consistency is what is crucial in forming a bond with a young person in need of someone to rely on.

There are currently more than 50 youth in the West Island and surrounding communities waiting for a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters. The greatest need is for male role models. It just takes one volunteer mentor, one hour a week, one child at a time to make a difference in someone’s life.

To learn more about how you can be the difference in the life of a young person or to register to find your own Big Brother or Big Sister, please visit https://westisland.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca, email them at bbbswi@bigbrothersbigsisters.ca or call them at (514) 538-6100.