Not enough mentors for kids in need: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Edmonton

The London & area chapter of Big Brothers/Big Sisters is focussing on getting more men especially to volunteer time as a Mentor.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Edmonton and area (BBBS) has paused mentorship intake for more than a year due to challenges matching kids to mentors.

The waitlist had more than 900 kids looking for a mentor when the program was paused about a year and a half ago. Christina Dominguez with BBBS Edmonton and Area said the waitlist was at almost 500 kids as of Wednesday.

But, she added, the decrease in numbers is only partially due to kids being matched with mentors.

“Many are from closures and diverting them to other programs,” said Dominguez.

• The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App

The Edmonton chapter is currently running the 100 Men in 100 Days campaign that hopes to recruit male mentors. Dominguez says more than half the kids seeking mentors are boys.

She says it is currently falling short on its recruitment goal.

“With only 42 days left in the campaign, we’ve only received 37 new male volunteer applications,” said Dominguez.

Last year, the organization was able to reach its goal of 100 male volunteers in 100 days.

The Red Deer chapter of BBBS also recently paused taking on new kids, due to an “overwhelming” number of requests for mentors. More than 100 kids are on the waitlist in Red Deer.

BBBS is encouraging more people to volunteer to help the hundreds of kids waiting for a mentor.

According to a press release, recruiters say the kids are just looking for someone to “show up and be a friend.”

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Steven Dyer.