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Mentoring Program for Children and Youth in Port Coquitlam

KidStart offers one-on-one mentoring in Port Coquitlam, supporting kids aged 6-12 and teens aged 13-18, as they navigate difficult life situations.

For kids, it could mean they are struggling to make friends, dealing with family instability, or facing challenges in school. For teens this could include facing family instability, living under youth agreements, interactions with the justice system and other challenges.

With a caring adult in their corner, these kids and teens are more likely to build confidence, bounce back from setbacks, and make positive choices. If you’ve got time and a big heart, you could be that someone who makes all the difference. Contact us today for more information!

Ready to become a mentor?

What We Do

KidStart matches young people with caring adult mentors who are thoughtfully recruited, screened, and trained to offer consistent, one-on-one support. Through regular connection and meaningful activities, mentors provide encouragement, model healthy behaviours, and help young people build confidence and essential life skills. To foster strong, lasting relationships, we ask mentors to commit approximately three hours each week for a minimum of one year.

Port Coquitlam Mentorship Needs

Currently, 9 young people from Port Coquitlam are benefiting from the support of a caring mentor, but we still have 13 others waiting for that same opportunity.

If you live in or near Port Coquitlam and are looking for a way to make a positive impact as a volunteer, apply today to make a difference in the life of a young person!

Training Provided for Mentors

As an approved mentor, you will receive training to help you in your role, including first aid, trauma-informed practice, how to write effective case notes and more. This training makes KidStart a great program for post-secondary students planning a career in social services. You get practical experience and give back to your community at the same time.

Support for Mentors in Port Coquitlam

Each mentor and mentee pairing gets support from a dedicated volunteer coordinator.

Free Mentorship Program in Port Coquitlam

Thanks to a combination of provincial government funding and charitable giving, KidStart is provided free of charge to the young people who need it. Anyone can refer a child aged 6-12 to KidStart, including teachers, counsellors, parents, guardians, family members, and the police. To access the teens program, a professional referral from a social worker or probation officer is required.

Mentoring Program for Children and Youth in
Port Coquitlam

KidStart is dedicated to creating stable, supportive connections between children, youth and trusted adults in their community – particularly for those who may not have steady guidance at home. To make it easier for mentors and mentees to spend quality time together, we provide a $40 monthly activity stipend. From indoor adventures to outdoor fun, there are countless enjoyable things to do in and around Port Coquitlam that help strengthen these important relationships.
Indoor Activities
Outdoor Activities

Indoor Activities for
Mentors and Mentees in Port Coquitlam

Depending on the interests of your mentee, the season, and the weather, you may prefer indoor activities. There is no shortage of indoor activities in Port Coquitlam, including sporty fun and enjoying the arts.

Active & Sports-Based Indoor Activities for Children and Youth in Port Coquitlam

Port Coquitlam Community Centre

This modern facility in downtown PoCo offers a fitness centre, leisure pool, skating arenas, a games room, and more. This is the perfect place to stop in with your mentee on a rainy day and get some blood pumping with indoor activities.

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PoCo Bowl

This local bowling alley is a great place to have some fun while strengthening your bond with your mentee. Choose between regular bowling lanes or Cosmic bowling, which adds some fun with low lights, special effects, and vibrant music.

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Hyde Creek Recreation Centre

This community aquatics complex offers a swimming pool, river run, water slide, sauna, and more. Stop in for a game of squash or racquetball or work out on modern cardio machines. This facility also offers a supervised youth centre with pool tables.

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Arts & Culture or Education-Based Indoor Activities for Children and Youth in Port Coquitlam

Terry Fox Library

Public libraries are an incredible source of free education and entertainment resources, as well as a safe place for children and youth to spend time. Encourage your mentee to explore all the free resources available, including computers and internet access, videos, music, books, and free workshops.

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Quest Central

Enjoy the ultimate gaming experience at this highly rated board game and tabletop gaming hub. With over 200 board games to choose from, weekly events, and coffee and snacks available, this is a great spot to spend some time with your mentee on a rainy day.

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Outdoor Activities for
Mentors and Mentees in Port Coquitlam

Nestled along the Fraser river with easy access to a great trail network, there are abundant opportunities for outdoor fun in Port Coquitlam.

Active & Sports-Based Outdoor Activities for Children and Youth in Port Coquitlam

Traboulay PoCo Trail

This 25.3-kilometre route includes riverside trails and pathways through the community greenbelts that encircle PoCo. Whether you explore by bicycle or by foot, this trail is a great way to get outside and enjoy the fresh air year-round.

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PoCo Climb

Test your fitness with your mentee by attempting the recently completed PoCo Climb between Shaughnessy Street and Eastern Drive. The route features more than 150 timber stairs and takes you from an elevation of 5 metres to 75 metres.

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Carnoustie Golf Club

Practice driving at the hitting nets, work on putting in the putting green, or play a whole round of 18-hole golf. This scenic course is nestled between the coastal mountains and the Pitt River and offers a great outdoor experience combined with golf.

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Arts & Culture or Education-Based Outdoor Activities for Children and Youth in Port Coquitlam

Leigh Square Community Arts Village

Check out community events at the outdoor performing stage and sculpture courtyard, which hosts festivals, outdoor concerts, craft fairs, and open-air markets throughout the year.

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Port Coquitlam Canada 150 Mosaic

Take a stroll by 2248 McAllister Avenue to admire the PoCo mural project, which showcases hometown hero Terry Fox, a tribute to Kwikwetlem First Nation, and the natural scenery of the area.

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See why both our volunteers and mentees love being a part of our mentoring program in Port Coquitlam!

A wonderful service. Great staff and enthusiastic volunteers.

– KidStart referrer

I like that it helps me with my problems and lets me connect with someone.

– KidStart participant

Meet a Volunteer Mentor

“I find that the more time I spend with my mentee, the more she opens up and lets herself be a kid. In today’s day and age of having to grow up as soon as you can, it can be a breath of fresh air when kids can be kids.”

Loren has been a mentor with KidStart since January 2025. She is a university student who balances a part-time job with volunteering and spending time with family and friends. She wishes she had a strong role model when she was a kid to help her through some challenges she faced, including having parents who struggled with substance use. Her history and her fondness for spending time with kids led her to become a mentor.

Become a Volunteer Mentor in Port Coquitlam and Change a Young Person’s Life!

If you’re 19 or older, have a stable lifestyle, and can dedicate a few hours each week, you could be an ideal mentor for a young person in Port Coquitlam through KidStart. With just a three-hour weekly commitment over one year, you’ll play a vital role in helping youth grow stronger, gain self-confidence, and navigate life’s obstacles with support and guidance from a caring adult like you.
Apply Here!
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