Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland - Become a Big Sister

Big Sisters values diversity. Whatever your race, culture, religion, sexual orientation, or ability, we know you have a lot to share.Our volunteers come from all walks of life. You may be a teacher, a mother or a sales clerk. You may drive a car or take the bus. The most important thing is that you have time to be a friend to a girl.

Learn more about the Big & Little Sister Program.

Check out our 'Girls Need More Positive Role Models' volunteer recruitment campaign!

Big Sister Qualifications:
•	You are a female who is 19 years of age or older (no upper age limit!)
•	You have been a resident of Canada for at least one year (or you are willing to provide us with an International Criminal Records Check).
•	You are able to commit to spending 3-5 hours once a week with your Little Sister for a minimum of one year. (Looking for a shorter volunteer commitment? Check out the Study Buddy Program or Go Girls! Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds Program.
•	You are mature, stable, reliable, respectful of others, and will be accepting of your Little Sister.
•	You are interested in developing a friendship with a young girl between the ages of 7 and 17.
•	You are comfortable with Big Sisters of BC Lower Mainland's Core Values.

How to become a Big Sister:

1. Ensure you meet all of the qualifications above

2. Get your 'Need to Know Info' for Potential Big Sisters

Read the 'Need to Know Info for Potential Big Sisters' online by clicking here OR attend an optional Information Session (held monthly at the Big Sisters house - call 604.873.4525 ext. 300 for dates and times).

3. Submit your Big Sister Application & Criminal Record Check

Download a Big Sister application form here and submit it to Big Sisters (or call 604.873.4525 ext. 300 to have an application mailed/faxed to you). You will also need to obtain a criminal record check for yourself and your live-in partner/spouse (if applicable). Note - if you have been a resident of Canada for less than one year you will need to provide Big Sisters with an International Criminal Records Check.

4. Attend a Screening Interview

A Big Sisters Counsellor will contact you to schedule this interview.

5. Attend a Training Session

Training Sessions are facilitated by a Big Sisters counsellor who will talk to you about the joys and challenges of being a Big Sister, the ongoing support you will receive from us, how to build a strong mentoring relationship with your Little Sister, Child Safety Training, and more.
Once you have completed all of the above steps, your acceptance will be determined and you will be notified of the outcome.

6. Meet your Little Sister!

Once you are accepted as a Big Sister volunteer, the Big Sisters counselling team will work to match you with a suitable Little Sister. Once you are matched, your Big Sisters counsellor will offer on-going support to you, your Little Sister and her parent/guardian through regular phone and in-person check ins.
"How long will it take before I'm matched with my Little Sister?"
Depending on a variety of factors such as where you live, your interests, and the various needs of the girls on our waiting list, it may be some months before you are matched with your Little Sister. Our Big Sisters counselling team works hard to make sure they find a compatible match for each Big Sister - and sometimes that can take a bit of time - but we know it will be worth the wait!

Questions?
Call 604.873.4525 ext. 300 or email bigsisters.bc.ca.

Download the Big Sister Volunteer Application here!

Interested in being a Big Brother?
Contact Big Brothers of Greater Vancouver at
604.876.2447 or visit www.bigbrothersvancouver.com.