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Mentoring Program for Children
and Youth in Richmond

KidStart offers one-on-one youth mentoring in Richmond, supporting kids aged 6-12 and youth 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 youth 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

We pair screened and trained adult volunteers with young people for mentoring on a one-to-one-basis. Our mentors support young people by being a stable, positive role model in their lives on a weekly basis. Consistency is important for developing trusting relationships, so we ask mentors to commit around three hours a week for at least one year.

Richmond Mentorship Needs

As of July 2026, there are 12 kids and teens participating in the KidStart program. Sadly, we have 16 kids and teens still waiting to be matched, but that can change at any time.

If supporting and mentoring a young person speaks to you, we’d love to hear from you today! Let’s talk!

Training Provided for Mentors

Once you’ve been accepted as a mentor, you will receive comprehensive training that will equip you to be an effective support for your mentee. This includes first aid training, how to write effective case notes, trauma-informed practice, and more. The extensive training makes KidStart a great experience for aspiring social workers and other community-oriented jobs.

Support for Mentors in Richmond

Each mentor and mentee pairing gets support from a dedicated volunteer coordinator with plenty of KidStart experience who is familiar with the community.

Free Mentorship Program in Richmond

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
Richmond

The goal of KidStart is to create positive connections with the local community to improve the well-being of young people who lack stable adult role models in their lives. We provide a $40 monthly activity allowance to mentors to participate in activities with mentees. Here are some ideas for fun activities in Richmond.
Indoor Activities
Outdoor Activities

Indoor Activities for
Children and Youth in Richmond

Depending on the season and weather, you and your mentee may prefer indoor activities. There are plenty of indoor activities in Richmond, ranging from enjoying the arts to sports and leisure and everything in between.

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

Richmond Olympic Experience

Visit the Richmond Olympic Oval and enjoy hands-on activities like testing your strength with shot put and trying the kayak, bobsleigh, or racecar simulators.

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Splitsville Riverport Bowling

Chat with your mentee over a game of 5-pin or 10-pin bowling or enjoy some arcade games at this Richmond favourite.

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Minoru Aquatic Centre

Drop in for a swim or aquafit class at this premier aquatic facility in Richmond’s city centre right next to Minoru Park. In addition to 6 bodies of water, this centre has a fitness centre and rock climbing wall.

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Clip ‘N Climb Vancouver

Challenge yourself to a fun activity that involves clipping in to a harness and climbing up walls of varying difficulty levels. There is something for everyone, from beginners to climbing experts.

To participate in indoor climbing, a signed permission slip from a parent or guardian is required.

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

Richmond Museum

Discover more about 150 years of the city’s unique history at the mouth of the Fraser River through exhibits, walking tours, and special events.

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Richmond Public Library

Libraries are an incredible free resource for young people of all ages, and a safe place to spend time. Introduce your mentee to the amenities available, including computer access, books, videos, magazines, and more.

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Richmond Art Gallery

Foster an appreciation for the arts and local culture with a visit to this local art gallery. With frequently rotating exhibits, there is always something new to discover at this community gem.

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The Gulf of Georgia Cannery

Enjoy interactive fun with hands-on exhibits that introduce you to the history of Canada’s West Coast fishing. Observe old machinery, learn how a canning line operates, and admire the Steveston harbour views.

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Outdoor Activities for
Children and Youth Mentorship in Richmond

Nestled between the Fraser River and the Pacific Ocean, Richmond offers green parks, scenic waterfront trails, and plenty of farmland.

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

West Dyke Trail

Enjoy panoramic views of the ocean, wetlands, and mountains while walking or cycling this popular trail with your mentee. There are viewing platforms to watch birds such as owls and hawks.

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Garry Point Park

This large waterfront park near historic Steveston Village offers interesting features like a Japanese-style memorial garden and Scotch Pond, a heritage moorage site. 

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Terra Nova Adventure Play Environment

Connect with your inner child with some outdoor playground fun at this unique dynamic play environment amongst trees and former farm fields. The fun includes tandem ziplines, 3 meter-high swings, a climbable timber structure, a rope walkway, and more.

To participate in some activities offered at Terra Nova Adventure Play Environment, a signed permission slip from a parent or guardian is required.

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Iona Beach Regional Park

Watch herons, hawks, and eagles soar in their coastal habitat at this beautiful park where the Fraser River meets the ocean. The Jetty offers a 4km walking trail and additional pathways offer great spots for birdwatching and mountain viewing.

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

Richmond Nature Park

Get your mentee interested in fauna and flora by going for a stroll along the easy walking trails and observing the birds at the busy feeding stations. The Nature House offers interactive exhibits about wildlife in the city.

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Steveston Village

This quaint fishing village is a heritage zone where you can enjoy fresh seafood and visit the Britannia Shipyards National HIstoric Site, the Steveston Tram, and the Steveston Museum.

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Richmond Night Market

This vibrant summertime market has become one of the most popular events in Metro Vancouver, with a diverse range of food stalls and fun carnival games.

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Richmond Country Farms

Head to this local family-owned and operated farm to browse fresh produce at the farmer’s market or check out a seasonal festival. In late summer and early fall, a sunflower festival allows you to enjoy hay rides, live music, and fields of colourful flowers. In the fall, choose a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch.

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Britannia Shipyards National Historic Site

Discover local heritage by exploring the community where boat building and fishing industries flourished on the Fraser River. This 8-acre site features heritage buildings, a wooden boardwalk, and regular exhibits, events, and activities to learn about the area’s past.

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

A wonderful service. Great staff and enthusiastic volunteers.

– KidStart referrer

This program has helped me become more responsible for myself and helped me live independently.

– KidStart participant
richmond-mentor

Meet a Volunteer Mentor

“Watching my current mentee grow and transform has been incredibly rewarding. Seeing her go from a shy, indecisive pre-teen to a confident, thoughtful young woman about to graduate high school is something I’ll always cherish. She’s grown so much over the years—especially in height, she’s much taller than me now!”

Noelle is a mentor with KidStart in Richmond. She fondly remembers how she kept in touch with her mentee virtually during the COVID lockdown through playing online games. She noticed her mentee opening up about her worries and actively making an effort to keep the conversation going, and this kind of mutual relationship building is what makes mentoring so powerful.

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

If you’re 19 years of age or over and have a reliable routine and three hours to spare per week, that’s all it takes to change a young life in Richmond.
Apply Here!
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