Across Alberta, volunteers are needed to help address the more than 3000 children and youth, currently waiting to be matched with mentors.

This September, as #BigBrothersBigSistersMonth, concludes, the Alberta Mentoring Partnership, government, school and community partners are highlighting the critical impact that volunteer mentors have on the lives of young people. All Albertans are being called on to volunteer for as little as one hour a week to change the life of a child and the future of their community.

Sadly, thousands of children across Alberta are still waiting for mentors, with a high number of those kids being boys. For example, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Calgary and Area currently has 337 youth (including over 200 boys) on their wait list. In Edmonton, Boys and Girls Clubs Big Brothers Big Sisters of Edmonton has 1496 youth (including 812 boys) waiting for mentors. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Red Deer has 77 youth (including 55 boys) a 35% increase over 2017.

 Albertans are asked to recommit themselves to their community by becoming mentors for young people in need of caring, supportive relationships. Research has shown that children and youth who have the support of a mentoring relationship do better in school, go on to successful careers, give back to their communities, and live happier, healthier lives. According to 2016 Population Lab Research on Alberta youth:

  • 92% of Mentees said mentoring increased their hope for the future
  • 89% of Mentees said mentoring increased their social skills
  • 81% of Mentees said mentoring helped them stay in school

Albertan’s can visit www.albertamentors.ca to find a mentoring opportunity in their community from over 120 different mentoring programs organized by schools and community agencies.

bigbrotherssisters

Information provided by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Grande Prairie & Area.