Group Based

All of our Group-Based Programs operate after school or on weekends, on a year round basis. Participants enjoy pre-planned, pre-paid group activities, such as attending an educational or sporting event with other Bigs and Littles. Each group operates in an identified priority area of the city and has a specific focus. We currently offer two group-based programs.

Big Bunch Program is a site-based group mentoring program, providing children between 8 – 12 years of age the dual benefits of not only an identified mentor (their Big Brother or Big Sister), but also exposure to regular socialization with other children their age.

Youth Program & Graduated Site Matches is a group-based mentoring program for youth ages 13-18. Each mentor is matched with up to two youth and they meet with other matches as a group twice a month at community centres throughout the City of Toronto for two hours. Sessions occur at a set time and day.  Bigs organize activities in conjunction with youth and these can include sports, leadership workshops, issue specific workshops, arts, etc.

The Youth Program provides evolving opportunities for matches from the Original program. Bigs and Littles who have been matched within the Original Program for one year, where the Little is 16 or over, will be connected to the Youth Coordinator and offered programming opportunities. We have three streams of programming for these graduated youth matches: a tri-mentoring Bigs-in-Training program stream, a health and fitness stream and a career/employment development stream.

                             School-Based Programs

Our School-Based Programs operate before, during, or after school hours, depending on the program.  Activities involve various school facilities such as the library, computer lab, gym, arts and crafts area or staff room. Children in the School-Based Programs are between the ages of 6 and 14 years and we currently offer seven School-Based Programs. 

In-School Mentoring is implemented through a one-to-one mentoring relationship (1:1) where Big Brother or Big Sister volunteers meet their Little Brother or Little Sister to share activities on school property for one hour a week, during the school calendar (September to June).

We have an ongoing need for In-School volunteers in all our locations across Toronto! If you can spend one hour a week with a child in the school setting, during the school year, please contact us!

Go Girls! Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds is led by two female mentors.It runs in schools and community centres for seven two-hour sessions. Each session provides an opportunity for girls (ages 10-14) to participate in fun, educational games and activities. The curriculum is based on active living, balanced eating, and feeling good/self esteem.

Game On, Boys Mentoring is modeled on the success of the Go Girls program, and engages boys aged 9-15 on a weekly basis to discuss issues and participate in activities that promote physical activity, healthy eating, nutrition, self-esteem, and communication skills. Two male mentors facilitate the program for seven weeks in schools and at community centres.

CO-OP Student Program provides high school CO-OP students, 16 and over, who are enrolled in the teacher assistant program an opportunity to apply for this one-to-one mentoring program. Students are matched with up to two elementary school children for the duration of their semester or school year.

New College matchesyouth aged 13-16 with University of Toronto students in order to experience what university is really like. Matches meet twice a month on campus between November and April. Activities include campus scavenger hunt, attending a lecture, attending a Varsity sport, etc.

JUMP Math is a program offered in partnership with the Toronto District School Board and JUMP Math, where volunteers are matched in a one-to-one relationship to tutor and mentor children in math. This program presents math in a fun and exciting way for children. JUMP Math runs from October to June for 1 hour a week.

The School-to-Work program matches volunteers from specific businesses with high school students in a 3 year mentoring relationship.   The matches spend time on a one-to-one basis, eat lunch together, and participate in group activities addressing careers, goal setting, resume building, social networking, etc.

Start something and become a Big!

If you would like to know more about this program, contact us!