PRISM Mentoring Program
PRISM is a mentoring program focused on supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ children and youth through our community and in-school mentoring formats. These youth are matched with adult mentors who are also a part of the 2SLBGTQIA+ community for one-on-one mentoring. Through regular outings and activities, the match fosters a friendship that is supportive and empowering.
The purpose of a PRISM match is to:
- Provide role models for 2SLGBTQIA+ children and youth;
- Foster pride and self-confidence;
- Educate families and support if/when needed;
- Offer 2SLGBTQIA+ children and youth a safe adult mentor to discuss identity with and above all, have fun!
Children and youth interested in being matched with a mentor must:
- Be 2SLGBTQIA+
- Be between 6-24 years old
- Want a mentor who is 2SLGBTQIA+
Adults who are interested in being matched with a mentee must:
- Be 2SLGBTQIA+
- Be over 18 years old
- Want to be a mentor to a 2SLGBTQIA+ youth
The 2SLGBTQIA+ community has a rich legacy of forging informal mentoring networks as a mode of survival. Today, the community has made great strides, yet 2SLGBTQIA+ youth continue to face barriers. Research shows that formal mentoring programs are a powerful, protective factor for this demographic as they develop their own unique sense of self.
We’re proud that our PRISM program is managed by staff identifying as 2SLGBTQIA+, mobilizing 2SLGBTQIA+ volunteers, all to mentor 2SLGBTQIA+ youth right here in our city! We truly are bigger together!
Join PRISM
We thank you for your interest. Starting April 27th, 2026, volunteer enrolment will be closed until further notice. We will focus on intentionally matching volunteers and children who are currently on our waitlist.
Big Steps to Success Mentoring Program
Big Steps to Success is a mentoring program with a special focus on connecting children and youth (aged 6-24 years) in care or who have experienced adoption with mentors who share a similar lived experience.
By creating these intentional matches, the program helps provide valuable guidance, emotional support, and inspiration. Through meaningful relationships, mentees build confidence, skills, and resilience needed to navigate life’s challenges, taking the essential steps toward a successful and fulfilling future.
The program strives to:
- Provide a relatable role model and supportive friend who understands the complexities of being fostered or adopted;
- Promote the value of education, emotional resilience, and healthy relationships;
- Build self-confidence, trust, and the skills to navigate life’s challenges and make empowered decisions;
- Inspire leadership, personal growth, and the ability to make choices that shape bright futures;
- Above all, create lasting change and meaningful connections that foster healing and hope.
Start a Referral
To learn more about becoming a mentor, volunteering, or donating to Big Steps to Success, please contact us today.
We thank you for your interest. Starting April 27th, 2026, volunteer enrolment will be closed until further notice. We will focus on intentionally matching volunteers and children who are currently on our waitlist.
BIGS Community Mentoring Program
Our flagship mentoring program, the BIGS Community Mentoring Program intentionally matches a child or youth facing adversity with a safe, caring adult mentor to be their role model and friend; someone to talk to, share experiences and challenges with, and to help them unlock their full potential.
This program strives to:
- Provide a role model and friend to a young person;
- Promote the importance of staying in school and healthy relationships;
- Instill trust and the self-confidence to make healthy decisions;
- Encourage leadership skills and independent thinking;
- Above all, make a difference while having fun!
The BIGS Community Mentoring Program requires one regularly scheduled outing a week lasting 2 to 4 hours, and a minimum of a one-year commitment. With regular outings, you build a relationship. This relationship is founded on trust and common interests and is supported by experienced caseworkers.
Apply or Get Involved
The BIGS Community Mentoring Program requires one regularly scheduled outing a week lasting 2 to 4 hours, and a minimum of a one-year commitment. With regular outings, you build a relationship. This relationship is founded on trust and common interests and is supported by experienced caseworkers.
We thank you for your interest. Starting April 27th, 2026, volunteer enrolment will be closed until further notice. We will focus on intentionally matching volunteers and children who are currently on our waitlist.
Big Possibilities Mentoring Program
Big Possibilities is a flash mentoring program focused on supporting youth (14-24 years old) with career readiness and exploration. It gives youth the opportunity to attend workshops, explore a variety of careers and learn from local professionals, either in-person or virtually. The program’s mission is to provide youth with life skills and experiences that allow them to explore, be inquisitive, and feel optimistic about life after high school.
Workshops are 2-hour sessions that run about every 6 weeks. These sessions are grounded in youth voices to ensure programming meets expectations and needs. Some topics of discussion include:
- Resume and cover letter development;
- Interview preparation;
- Post-secondary school applications;
- Financial literacy, budgeting, and building credit;
- Employment and disabilities;
- Being “future ready”;
- And more.
In addition, Thrive Select Thrift offers volunteer and co-op opportunities for youth looking to gain work experience during their placements. Mentees can request to work at Thrive through their secondary school co-op teacher or email hope.wood@bbbso.ca.
Once placement is complete, youth receive a reference letter based on their performance.
Get Started
We thank you for your interest. Starting April 27th, 2026, volunteer enrolment will be closed until further notice. We will focus on intentionally matching volunteers and children who are currently on our waitlist.
MPower Mentoring Program
Through shared experiences, MPower supports and assists young adults aged 15-24 in the transition into adulthood. The support of a mentor can positively influence the future of a young adult, helping them discover new options and possibilities. Between 15 and 24 is a key time for young adults to discover their passions, the direction they want to take in life, and making key decisions. A mentor can help support that journey!
Through MPower, a mentor:
- Becomes a trusted role model and friend;
- Encourages identifying strengths, exploring passions, and achieving goals;
- Instills trust and self-confidence to make healthy decisions;
- And, encourages leadership skills and independent thinking.
Apply or Learn More
We thank you for your interest. Starting April 27th, 2026, volunteer enrolment will be closed until further notice. We will focus on intentionally matching volunteers and children who are currently on our waitlist.
In-School Mentoring Program
Our in-school mentoring program provides children and youth with a role model and friend to talk to and connect with all from the comfort of the familiar space in their own school. Matches will share experiences and stories of school and growing up for an hour every week.
Bonding over board games, crafts, or simply hanging out on the playground can have a huge impact on a young person. These connections can help keep kids in school and learn how to navigate bullying, and empower them to create healthy relationships with their peers.
Get Your Workplace Involved
In-school Mentoring is a great opportunity to promote volunteerism among employees in the workplace. Research shows that employees who give back to their community through their employer are more productive, feel more positive about the company that they work for, and are more engaged.
For one hour each week, during school hours, employees can volunteer for the In-School Mentoring Program. BBBSO can offer a presentation to engage your employees with this opportunity and will work with your schedule to find the most suitable time and location.
Apply or Refer a Student
We thank you for your interest. Starting April 27th, 2026, volunteer enrolment will be closed until further notice. We will focus on intentionally matching volunteers and children who are currently on our waitlist.
Meet You In School Co-op Placement Program
Mentoring can play an impressive role in the life of a mentee – but it’s also a life-changing experience for the mentor too! Meet You In School gives senior high school and college students an opportunity to do their co-op placement in a mentoring role with elementary school children ages 7 – 11.
Training is provided to all mentors prior to the start of the program. All meetings take place on school property and under the supervision of trained and experienced Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ottawa representative.
Apply or Refer a Student
We thank you for your interest. Starting April 27th, 2026, volunteer enrolment will be closed until further notice. We will focus on intentionally matching volunteers and children who are currently on our waitlist.