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We wish to inform you that, effective immediately, proof of COVID vaccination is no longer required for participation in our programs. However, we respectfully request that all volunteers refrain from meeting with their mentees in person if they are experiencing flu-like symptoms. Your cooperation and understanding in maintaining the health and safety of our community are greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ottawa and Renfrew County. We are thrilled that you recognize the value of youth mentoring and the impact it can have on the life of a child, as we are always looking for like-minded people to get involved and support our cause.

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.

Please review the information above each application to ensure you’re applying to the program best suited to you.

PRISM

PRISM program matches children and youth who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ with an adult mentor who also identifies as 2SLGBTQIA+ for a one on one mentoring relationship.

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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

Big Steps to Success is a mentoring program that connects children and youth aged 6-24 years old with former foster youth and adult adoptees. By pairing young people with mentors who share similar lived experiences, the program provides valuable guidance, emotional support, and inspiration. Through these meaningful relationships, mentees build the confidence, skills, and resilience needed to navigate life’s challenges, taking the essential steps toward a successful and fulfilling future.

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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.

Time Commitment: 2-4 hours/week, evenings and/or weekends, minimum of one year. Children and youth ages 6-24. Virtual options available.

This application is for adults (ages 18+).

BIGS Community Mentoring Program

Mentoring a child as a BIG gives you the opportunity to provide young children  (ages 6-14) with a role model and friend; somebody to talk to, share experiences about growing up with, and to help them discover their full potential.

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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.

Time Commitment: 2-4 hours/week, evenings and/or weekends, minimum of one year
Children ages 6-14
Virtual options available
This application is for adults (ages 18+)

Big Possibilities Mentoring Program

Big Possibilities is a youth employment readiness mentoring program that collaborates with young people aged 15-24 years old. Social and conversational skills are critical for success, helping young people see their pathway to post-secondary education and employment with clarity.

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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.

This application is for adults (ages 18+)
To mentor youth ages 15-24 years old.

MPower Youth Mentoring Program

MPower is a program that collaborates with young people aged 15-24 who want to have a mentor in their lives. If you want support to help you be successful as an adult, or someone to connect with and do activities together, this program is for you.

As a young person 15-24 years old, you meet potential mentors at group events and you decide who you share a connection with and who will make a great mentor for you.

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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.

Time Commitment: 8-10 hours/month, evenings and/or weekends, minimum of two years
Youth ages 15-24
Virtual options available
This application is for adults (ages 18+)

In-School Mentoring Program

Our In-School Mentoring Program provides all children with a role model and friend to talk to all from the familiar space of their own school. Bigs and Littles will share experiences and stories of school and growing up for an hour every week.

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Time Commitment: 1 hour/week during school days/hours, duration of the school year.
Mentor youth ages 6-12
This application is for adults (ages 18+)

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 Mentoring Program

Mentoring can play an impressive role in the life of a Little. It’s also often life-changing for a Big. Meet You In School mentoring gives senior high school students and college students on placement an opportunity to act in a mentoring role with elementary school children between the ages of 7 and 11.

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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.