Big Brothers Big Sisters(BBBS) Elementary

The Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentorship Program is an initiative in partnership with BGCBigs where 1st and 2nd year medical students become mentors for elementary school students (usually grade 5) in Edmonton. Once a week during lunch hour, a BGCBigs staff member and accompanying teachers bring elementary students who are participating in the program to the University of Alberta to meet their mentors. The purpose of the program is to give elementary students the opportunity to meet and benefit from a positive role model in their life. In addition, by partnering with University of Alberta students, children have the chance to explore post-secondary education and consider possibilities for their future while learning from mentors who have successfully navigated the challenges of school in the past.

As a mentor in this program, you will have the chance to build a relationship with a child and inspire them to be someone others can look up to in the future. There are numerous activities that mentors do with students; some of these include playing board games, making crafts, helping with homework, and teaching your mentee what it’s like to be in medical school during our "Doctor for a Day" exercise. There are additional opportunities during the year, such as visiting the mentees’ school and doing group activities and games in the gym. This is a highly rewarding program to be involved in for both mentors and mentees and is suitable for anybody regardless of previous mentoring experience!