Volunteering in Sarnia-Lambton
VOLUNTEERING: A Great Way To Grow
The In-School Mentoring program is a fun- based Mentoring Program that matches a caring adult volunteer on a one to one basis with a child at a local elementary school. For one hour a week mentors with their mentees engage in fun activities such as board games, crafts or just hanging out on the playground. All activities take place on school grounds during school hours. The children in the program benefit from the extra attention and friendship that an adult mentor can provide.
Big Bunch Mentors are adult volunteers of good character who share 3 hours every two weeks from October to June within a group mentoring program for children and youth. The Big Bunch program provides girls and boys a mentoring experience in a group setting. This program pairs 2 to 3 mentees from the Big Brother Big Sister waiting list with one mentor. Through regular outings organized by the agency, a relationship is developed between the mentor and mentee as well as between mentees. The program promotes healthy socialization and new experiences for both the mentor and mentee.
The Couples Mentoring program matches a married or common-law couple aged 21 and over who would like to share the joys and rewards of befriending a child together. Through regular outings, a relationship is developed between the mentors and mentees that is built on trust and common interests and is supported by an experienced Caseworker. Couples generally spend about 80% of their time together with the Little Brother allowing some one to one time with child.
The Big Sister Mentoring Program provides girls with a positive female role model and friend to talk to and share the experiences of growing up with. Through regular outings, 3 to 4 hours a week, a relationship is developed between mentor and mentee that is built on trust and common interests and is supported by an experienced Caseworker. The result is a life changing experience for both the mentor and mentee that is built on trust and common interests and is supported by an experienced Caseworker. This program promotes the importance of staying in school and healthy relationships with family and peers while teaching trust, independent thinking and self confidence in order to make healthy decisions, all while having fun.
Volunteers are needed as mentors to children in our community. There are a number of children waiting for the special friendship and positive role model that a mentor offers. Volunteers are required to be a Big Brother, a Big Sister, a Big Bunch Mentor a Couple Match or an In-School Mentor.
Big Brother Mentors are men of good character, who share three to four hours a week in a mutually enjoyable activity with a boy aged 5 to 18 years who could benefit from a positive male influence and friendship. Outing times are flexible each week which appeals to many different men whose free time varies each week. Planning Outings is easy because you share your interests with a boy. Great care is taken in matching Big and Little Brothers to ensure that they are compatible and share common interests.