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Mentoring Program for Youth
Living on the Sunshine Coast

KidStart offers one-on-one mentoring on the Sunshine Coast, specifically in Gibsons and Sechelt as well as other areas of Metro Vancouver. Many of the teens in our program are navigating the move into adulthood without the kind of steady family support most young people rely on. Some have been in care, living under youth agreements or have faced legal challenges and personal hardships along the way. Having a mentor can make a real difference by providing consistent guidance and support during an important developmental stage of life, and we depend on volunteers like you to help make that possible.

Ready to become a mentor?

What We Do

Through comprehensive screening and training, we equip adult volunteers to become impactful one-to-one mentors for youth. By consistently showing up, modeling positive choices, and encouraging involvement in enriching experiences, mentors help foster confidence and resilience. We ask for a weekly time commitment of around three hours for at least one year to ensure strong, lasting relationships.

Sunshine Coast Mentorship Needs

There are currently no young people in the Sunshine Coast area waiting to be matched with a caring adult mentor. However, that can change quickly as new referrals are received throughout the year. If you live in the area and would like to make a difference in your community, consider applying to become a mentor so you’re ready to support a young person when the need arises. And remember, you can mentor a youth in a neighbouring city too, so there might be a young person waiting for you!

Training Provided for Mentors

Approved mentors are given extensive training in areas like first aid, trauma awareness, and writing strong case notes. For post-secondary students aiming for a career in social services, KidStart offers the chance to support local youth and gain valuable experience at the same time.

Support for Mentors on the Sunshine Coast

Volunteer Coordinators are at the heart of our mentoring program, helping mentors and mentees build strong and meaningful connections. They provide guidance, resources, and ongoing support throughout the match, helping ensure that each relationship has the opportunity to grow and make a lasting impact in a young person’s life.

Free Mentorship Program on the Sunshine Coast

Thanks to funding from the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD), youth can access the KidStart at no cost. Young people must be referred to the program through MCFD social workers or probation officers, who play an important role in connecting the teens facing the greatest challenges with the support they need to succeed.

Mentoring Program for Youth
on the Sunshine Coast

At KidStart, we focus on building meaningful relationships between youth and caring adults in the local community, especially for those who may not have many stable adults in their lives. Our Sunshine Coast mentors and mentees often take part in fun indoor and outdoor activities that help foster positive connections, with $40 per month provided to mentors to help cover expenses.
Indoor Activities
Outdoor Activities

Indoor Activities for
Youth Mentorship on the Sunshine Coast

Indoor activities can be a great choice depending on the young person’s interests and the weather. In Sunshine Coast, there’s a wide selection of indoor options, from recreational facilities to educational centers and everything in between.

Active & Sports-Based Indoor Activities for Youth on the Sunshine Coast

Sechelt Aquatic Centre

Get some laps in, float along the lazy river, participate in an aquatic fitness class, or encourage your mentee to get into a strength training routine in the weight room.

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Gibsons and Area Community Centre

Play some squash or racquetball, do a fitness class, or enjoy some ice skating in the NHL-sized arena.

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Strike Bowling

Bowling is a great low-intensity activity that offers a fun way to spend a couple of hours. The relatively slow pace and turn-taking nature of bowling makes it easy to maintain a conversation with your mentee without the focus being entirely on them.

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Arts & Culture or Education-Based Indoor Activities for Youth on the Sunshine Coast

Gibsons Public Art Gallery

Gibsons has a lively art scene, with five private art galleries to explore in addition to this public one. Check out upcoming exhibitions to see if any of them interest your mentee.

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tems swiya Museum

Explore a large collection of Indigenous artifacts such as cedar baskets, stone tools, and a 3500-year-old mortuary stone. Managed by the shíshálh Nation, this museum is a great place to learn about local culture.

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Sunshine Coast Museum & Archives

Named one of the top 6 community museums in British Columbia, this community source of history is a great place to learn all about the Sunshine Coast’s past.

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Raven’s Cry Theatre

Enjoy a movie at this community gem and discuss the themes afterward to encourage your mentee to explore their thoughts and feelings.

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Outdoor Activities for
Youth Mentorship on the Sunshine Coast

Anyone who is lucky enough to live on the Sunshine Coast knows what natural wonders this laid-back coastal community has to offer. There’s plenty of ways to build a connection with your mentee through the great outdoors, including exploring the trail systems, beaches, and more.

Active & Sports-Based Outdoor Activities for Youth on the Sunshine Coast

Hiking

There’s no shortage of incredible hiking trails for different levels of fitness. Trek up Soames Hill and enjoy the amazing views, or try the easy but beautiful Secret Cove trail to get some fresh air.

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Biking the Sechelt Greenway

Explore the many beautiful trails and paths in the region on two wheels, stopping to look for wildlife and admire ocean views along the way.

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Beach Activities

Skimboard, skip rocks, or simply walk and talk at Bonniebrook Beach or Davis Bay. Sunshine and fresh air provides the perfect backdrop for strengthening your bond with your mentee.

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Arts & Culture or Education-Based Outdoor Activities for Youth on the Sunshine Coast

Gibsons Public Art Path

Walk through Gibsons to admire local public art, and encourage your mentee to do some photography or sketching of the sculptures and murals.

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Historical Walking Tour

Enjoy an informative walking tour guided by staff at the Sunshine Coast Museum and Archives to learn more about the community history.

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Indigenous-Led Nature Tours

Explore this beautiful community through an Indigenous lens by taking an ethnobotany-focused nature walk, learn about oral history, find out about the local biodiversity, and learn about sustainable land stewardship.

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Sechelt Farmer & Artisans Market

Explore over 60 vendors offering a variety of baked goods, pottery, artwork, jewelry, fresh produce and more. This is a great way to build connections with community members in a casual setting.

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See why both our volunteers and mentees love being a part of our mentoring program on the Sunshine Coast!

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

Meet a Volunteer Mentor

“The greatest gift you give your mentee isn’t wisdom it’s example. Your boundaries are their blueprint, your self-care their permission slip, your vulnerability the proof that dreams are built by humans, not heroes. This is how you teach them: true strength isn’t having it all figured out, it’s daring to grow, dream, and be human together. Watching a rocky beginning bloom into unexplainable pride, that’s when you realize you’re both becoming brave.” – Selena F

Selena has been a mentor with KidStart since 2024. She is a university student studying criminology, who balances a part-time job with volunteering and spending time with family and friends. She grew up surrounded by strong role models and values that support, which in turn, she hopes to provide as a mentor. In her spare time, Selena loves reading, writing, playing various sports and hanging out with her family.

Become a Mentor on the Sunshine Coast!

You can be the difference in a young person’s life. If you’re at least 19 years old, have a consistent routine, and are able to commit to three hours a week for a year, consider becoming a KidStart mentor. Help young people on the Sunshine Coast face life’s challenges with resilience and hope.
Apply Here!
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