In Collingwood, Ontario, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Grey, Bruce and West Simcoe is calling on adults 18 and older to volunteer as mentors through the Simcoe County Volunteer Hub. The agency needs school-based mentors who spend one hour a week with students in Grades 1 to 8 and community-based mentors who enjoy two to four outings a month — about three to five hours a week — with children and youth aged 6 to 18.
Volunteers must complete an online application, a two-hour virtual interview, national background and police checks, and a training program before being paired with a “Little” based on shared interests.
Collingwood residents can apply now on Volunteer Simcoe by searching the Big Brothers Big Sisters postings. The local office operates from the Collingwood Common Roof/Rotary Community Hub at 199 Campbell Street.
The recruitment drive aims to clear a waitlist that often exceeds 100 young people in the Southern Georgian Bay region. Mentored youth are more likely to stay in school, avoid risky behaviours and build stronger social networks. Recent funding from the Canada Service Corps and the 100 Hearts Campaign has helped expand these programs in Collingwood and neighbouring communities.
