FAQ

For the Big Sisters and Study Buddy programs, we first process your application and contact your references. Once your references are complete, you will be placed with a caseworker. When the caseworker receives your completed Criminal Record Check, they will contact you to have you come in for a mandatory training session. They are held once or twice a month on weekday evenings. After successfully attending a training session, your caseworker will schedule a screening interview with you to determine suitability for the program and match.  If you are accepted into the program, we will start looking for a Little Sister to match you with.

It can take up to 8 weeks for your application to be processed and references completed. The amount of time depends on how quickly your references get back to us. After these are received, it may take up to another 8 weeks to complete the training and interview process. This generally depends on your availability to attend a mandatory training session and have an interview with your caseworker

As prospective mentors go through the application and assessment process, the agency may determine that a mentoring role is not right for them. Prospective mentors themselves may also decide the time is not right to take on this role.

There is no age limit. As long as you are 19+ you can apply to be a mentor! Please note, for the Go Girls program there is a recommended age of 19-30.

Many of our volunteers do not have access to a car and rely on public transit.  On your application form you can indicate the areas you are willing to travel to and how long you are willing to travel. You should also discuss your travel ability with your caseworker before your match is made.

A flexible schedule is not required to be a mentor, but a more restricted schedule can impact the length of time it will take to match you in the program. In the Big Sisters program the commitment is 2-4 hours a week, and in the Study Buddy program it is 1 hour a week. Matches organize their own schedules and arrangements are made between the mentor and the guardian. Some matches have a set weekly schedule, while others meet at different times each week.

Yes! If you work or spend a lot of time in an area you don’t live in, we would love to match you in the area where we have a higher need of volunteers. On our application form you can indicate the cities you are willing to travel to.

No you can’t apply for more than one program. Once you are matched in a program please discuss with your caseworker the possibility of transferring or being involved in more than one area of the agency.

Letters of reference are provided at your caseworker’s discretion only after you have fulfilled the minimum commitment. 

We do not require any specific or specialized educational training to apply to our programs. We have mentors with all different backgrounds and life experiences. Our coordinators are there to support you throughout your match.

A mentor is someone who creates a fun and supportive friendship with a child. They act as a guide and role model who is open-minded and is someone who will challenge growth, provide support, express care and expand possibilities.

Please contact our Program Assistant with questions regarding availability. Occasional absences and vacation are okay, within reason.

The quality of the time you invest with your mentee is more important than the amount of money you spend. That’s why we don’t encourage spending a lot of money on your outings. We encourage low-to-no cost activities when possible. We are able to provide a variety of free activities and to events to our matches.