BBBS Strathcona Programs

Community Big Brothers Big Sisters Program

Our more recognized program is our Community Based 1:1 program (Big Brothers, Big Sisters or Couple Matches) - a volunteer is matched to a child or youth based on their location, interests and activities they would like to do in a match. The match (volunteer and child) spends that one on one time out in the community with each other for about 1-2 hours weekly or 2-4 biweekly (depending on availability and scheduling between the volunteer and family). The focus is on friendship and connecting youth to broader experiences, opportunities and networks.  The match can participate in a wide range of activities such as going to parks, attending festivals and community events, bowling, baking, arts and crafts etc. We do encourage matches to focus on low or no cost activities in order to make the relationship affordable over the long period of time for both the volunteer and family. 

Learning Lab (drop-in program)

This program is being run in partnership with BGC Strathcona County, and is a drop in program at the new youth hub (located at 123-2016 Sherwood Drive, in the Park Centre and Hotel across from Mississippi Jacks).  The learning lab will be open from 3:00 – 8:00 Monday to Friday.  The learning lab will be set up with computers, wifi, printer and more!  Volunteers and staff will be present to support youth with homework questions or access to homework supports, resumes and post secondary preparation.

In School Mentoring Program

The In School Mentoring Program is a way to get involved with a child. It allows volunteers (mentors) to share time with a child in their school during the school day. Mentors meet with their littles (students) following the 20-20-20 rule: 20 minutes of getting to know each other and catching up, 20 minutes of school work or reading, and 20 minutes of free time. In addition to friendship, the focus is on literacy, social support and classroom support. Volunteers in this program are meeting youth in their schools during the school day (lunch hours even!). Matches in this program do not meet over the summer. Great opportunity for businesses to support their employees to get involved in a local volunteer program, and only have to give up an hour of their time each week!

Please contact Tracy Lockhart at 780-420-6352 or tracy.lockhart@bigbrothersbigsisters.ca to see which schools this program is running in.

Teen Bigs

The program locally is just beginning to develop programs at the high schools where students in Grades 10-12 can volunteer as mentors to elementary students (Grades 3-5). These programs are run in partnership with the high school and Boys and Girls Clubs Strathcona County. Any high schools interested in learning more, please contact Tracy Lockhart at tracy.lockhart@bigbrothersbigsisters.ca or 780-420-6352.

Thank you to our local Partners & Sponsors!