Mentoring Volunteer Opportunities

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Clarington offers a wide range of volunteering opportunities to meet the varied needs of our volunteers. Serving as role models, our mentors teach by example the importance of giving and giving back, of staying in school, and for having respect for family, peers and community.

Our mentoring programs provide a child a role model and a friend to talk to and share the experiences of growing up with. Through regular outings, a relationship is developed between the mentor and the mentee, that is built on trust and common interests, and is supported by our experienced case-workers. The result is a life-changing experience for both the mentor and the mentee.

We encourage Bigs and Littles to choose activities they both enjoy. Caseworkers do their best to match mentors with a Little Brother or Little Sister who has interests similar to theirs. Many agencies organize group activities for matches, and are sometimes given tickets to movies, sporting events, and cultural events which they offer to their matches.

Each time we pair a child with a mentor or introduce a group of students to a group program, we Start Something BIG.

Find out more about our various programs by reviewing our mentoring programs or by contacting our agency at 905-623-6646 for more details about which programs are available in Clarington.

If you are interested in becoming a mentor for one of our mentoring programs then please scroll down to the bottom of the page to fill out our Volunteer Application Form

Summer Day Camp Volunteers

Volunteering at our Champions of Change & Leadership Day Camp is a great way to gain experience, enhance your job experience as well as gain creditable hours for community service and scholarships. A volunteer works along with a counselor and a small group of children assisting with the planned program. The schedule will accommodate your availability of holidays/employment commitments. We hopefully can accommodate volunteers who can help at a specific pre-arranged time each week or for a full week schedule. 

If you would like to inquire about this volunteer position we are accepting inquires prior to the start of camp, in order to provide orientation.

If you are interested in volunteering at our Summer Day Camp then please scroll down to the bottom of the page to fill out our Volunteer Application Form. 

Community and Event Volunteers

We can provide you with a fulfilling experience by helping out at our promotional and special fundraising events that occur periodically throughout the year. Events such as our Spring Food, Wine and Beer Festival, our annual Road Hockey Tournament, our Bowl for Kids’ Sake Campaign and Fall activities like our annual Tea Party and Community Christmas Party. The events we usually require volunteers to help at are on weekends; however there are some weekday choices as well.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for our fundraising events then please scroll to the bottom to fill out our Volunteer Application.

Why you should join our volunteer program!

  • Make a positive contribution to your community
  • Help make our fundraising events successful
  • provide a role model and a friend for children in Clarington
  • promote the importance of staying in school and healthy relationships with family and peers
  • instill trust and self-confidence in order to make healthy decisions
  • encourage leadership skills and independent thinking.
  • Meet new people, and network in places you never would before
  • Enjoy a fun + rewarding experience
  • Support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Clarington!

How it Works

How The Volunteering Process Works

The order of the steps in the application and assessment process can vary from agency to agency, but the following is a general overview of the process. You, the volunteer applicant:

  • Completes an application with their local agency
  • Submits a vulnerable sector screen, criminal records check, and three or four references
  • Participates in a one-to-one interview with a staff member at the Big Brothers Big Sisters agency
  • Depending on the program, may be asked to participate in an assessment of their home environment
  • Successfully completes an orientation and child safety training
  • Is notified of their acceptance/non-acceptance
  • If accepted as a volunteer mentor, signs an agreement of confidentiality
The Matching Process

Similar to the application and assessment process, the matching process can vary from agency to agency and from program to program, but in general:

  • The caseworker, now familiar with the volunteer and the children and youth waiting to be matched, discusses a potential match with the volunteer, the child or youth, and, depending on the program, with the family
  • The caseworker arranges for a meeting between the child or youth, the volunteer mentor, and often the parent or guardian

If everyone agrees, the match can begin!

Volunteer Applications

Community and Event Volunteers

Community-Based and In-School Mentors

Youth Volunteers (including Summer Camp)

Board of Directors – to join our Board of Directors, please email kids.clarington@bigbrothersbigsisters.ca and request an application form.