KidStart
KidStart is a positive and meaningful mentoring program for children and youth that volunteers make possible with a 3-hour per week commitment. The mentor and buddy relationship is a recreationally-based friendship that connects caring adults one-to-one with kids aged 6 to 18.
Kids are referred to KidStart for various reasons. They may be struggling in school, lacking a positive role model, their older siblings may be in trouble, or a community member has identified that they are in need of support. KidStart was created by the PLEA Community Services Society of BC more than 20 years ago, and the expansion to JHSNI was made possible with a portion of the $1 Million Vancity Award. KidStart is also supported by The BC Gaming and Enforcement Branch, local businesses, individual donors and grants.
Being a KidStart mentor brings a great deal of joy to a mentor’s life. We have received the following feedback from Campbell River mentors:
“It’s so much fun. I don’t have kids, but now I get to do all sorts of neat things I never used to.”
“I think I get just as much out of this as she does.”
Learn more about KidStart at www.kidstart.ca or call:
Thank you to our donors!
The John Howard Society of North Island wishes to acknowledge
the assistance of The Province of BC.
Outcomes:
50 mentees were matched with mentors who committed to volunteering 7,488 hours to provide positive role modeling for children and youth ages 6-18 through recreationally-based friendships. 100% of mentors completing service stated they were very happy with their KidStart experience.