KIDSTART IN CAMPBELL RIVER AND THE COMOX VALLEY
A good friend changes everything.
Kids do better when they have someone in their corner. We match caring adult volunteer mentors with children (ages 6 to 12) who would benefit from a positive role model. KidStart is about friendship, having fun, and the confidence that comes from knowing someone is there just for you.
Shared time, shared smiles.
A steady presence makes a lasting difference. Many children benefit from having a supportive, trusted adult outside their family circle to meet with weekly for confidence-building recreational activities.
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About KidStart in Campbell River & the Comox Valley.
KidStart is a community based, one-to-one volunteer mentoring (or “big buddy”) program available to children and youth who face challenges at home, at school, or in the community. The program began in the Vancouver area in 1984. The Campbell River KidStart program began in 2006 and the Comox Valley KidStart program began in 2007.
Youth mentees will be paired with an adult volunteer mentor who they will see for about 2-3 hours each week. The mentor’s role is to develop a supportive friendship; be a consistent, positive role model; and encourage participation in recreational activities that let youth experience success and healthy challenges, and gain self-confidence. The time they spend together gives mentees new experiences and the opportunity to relate to someone outside of the family.
KidStart is a social and recreational program designed to get kids out into the community and engaged in activities. KidStart helps children and youth build resilience and have fun opportunities regardless of other life circumstances they may be experiencing. Its success is due to the outstanding commitment that the volunteer mentors make to the program, the power of positive role modeling, and the long-term impact of mutually respectful, meaningful relationships.
Referrals are accepted for children between the ages of 6 and 12 in the Campbell River and Comox Valley communities. Referrals are accepted for children living in rural areas and islands surrounding these communities but it may take longer to be connected with a mentor. Children and youth with higher mental, behavioral, or physical health support needs may take longer to be connected to a mentor. KidStart can provide support to the mentor/mentee matches into the teen years.
The role of our volunteer mentors is to spend time developing a supportive friendship with their mentee while modelling positive behaviours. Mentors encourage mentees to participate in activities that allow them to experience supported opportunities for challenges and successes. The best way for this to happen is for mentors and mentees to meet regularly (once a week for about three hours) and to spend time having fun!
KidStart coordinators are responsible for the recruitment, screening, selection, and ongoing support and supervision of our volunteer mentors. This includes providing them with an orientation to the program which takes place before they are assigned to a mentee. Families are also provided with support from the coordinators as needed.
KidStart accepts referrals from parents, family, community members, teachers, school counsellors, social workers, and other childcare professionals. KidStart is a voluntary program, and children and families must agree to participate.