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Learning Buddies Program - Mentor

Virtual

Ignite a child’s passion for learning!

Learn new skills AND make a difference in your community by working one-on-one with elementary school students who are struggling with reading and math. Learning Buddies is a non-profit organization that pairs elementary school students with positive role models, like you, to work together to build reading and math skills and to inspire young students to reach their full potential. 

Option 1:

Virtually

On Monday, Wednesday & Thursday

From 9:45 am to 11:00 am

Option 2:

Virtually

On Monday, Wednesday & Thursday

From 5:15 pm to 6:30 pm

Your Role:

As a Learning Buddies mentor, you will help lead participants through fun mentorship and group activities, and provide effective and tailored tutoring support to the young learner you are paired with. This program offers you an opportunity to work with other volunteers with support from a Program Supervisor to directly interact with and provide mentorship to your ‘buddy’. 

In this role you will:

  • Acquire knowledge of the Learning Buddies curriculum;
  • Provide effective tutoring support to elementary school students in literacy and numeracy; 
  • Productively engage in conversation with a young learner to determine academic support needs; 
  • Adapt tutoring strategies to respond appropriately to different learner needs; 
  • Facilitate inclusive group mentoring activities and games; 
  • Demonstrate effective mentoring techniques, such as active listening, coaching, advising, and providing feedback.

Other benefits:

  • Gain experience working with children;
  • Develop, practice, and strengthen leadership, communication, time management, and planning skills;
  • Create positive social impact;
  • Obtain a reference letter from the community partner The Learning Buddies Network (if you have completed at least 30 hours);
  • Earn credit on your SFU Co-Curricular Record (CCR).

This opportunity is recognized on the Co-Curricular Record (CCR)!

The CCR is an official university document that tracks your co-curricular involvement at SFU. Learn more about the Co-Curricular Record at www.sfu.ca/students/get-involved/recognition/co-curricular-record

Program Dates & Times:

Volunteers may choose to commit to one of the two virtual program options below (via Zoom):

  • Monday, Wednesday & Thursday from 9:45 am to 11:00 am; or 
  • Monday, Wednesday & Thursday from 5:15 pm to 6:30 pm.

Interested volunteers would ideally be committing to volunteering 3 days a week. 

This program runs from July 3rd to August 15th, 2024

Mandatory Training:

  •   Volunteer Orientation will take place via Zoom on July 3rd. 
  •   Volunteer Social will take place via Zoom on July 4th.
 

Requirements:

Applicants should: 

  • Be enthusiastic, patient, creative and committed;
  • Enjoy working in a group setting;
  • Be eager to share their experience and skills;
  • Have experience or a strong interest in working with children;
  • Have two-way video enabled and a strong internet connection, if volunteering in the virtual program;
  • Have an interest in and ability to work with diverse communities;
  • Be respectful and non-judgmental;
  • Be friendly, compassionate and motivated;
  • Be dependable, flexible and resourceful.
  • Be prepared to provide the Learning Buddies Network with paperwork (such as a signed Letter of Understanding and Criminal Record Check. Details on how to complete this will be discussed during the onboarding process with their staff).

New CEC Volunteers will also be expected to complete the SFU Community Engagement Volunteer Training course available on Canvas.sfu.ca. Volunteers will receive an additional 2 hours of credit for completing the Canvas course.

TO BEGIN YOUR APPLICATION:

If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit an initial expression of interest below (Apply Now).

You will then receive an email from us with guidance on the next steps for completing your application with the Learning Buddies Network. 

If you previously volunteered with Learning Buddies and are interested in continuing, please include this information in your email.

Deadline to apply: Wednesday, May 29th | 11:59 PM

APPLY NOW

Please note, if the required number of volunteers for this program is reached before the above deadline, this posting may be taken down.

 
 
 
Collection Notice: The information collected as part of the application process is under the authority of the University Act (R.S.B.C. 1996, c.468). It is related directly to and needed by the University to administer the volunteer program through the SFU Surrey – TD Community Engagement Centre. The information will be used to screen volunteer applicants, refer applicants to opportunities of interest, and update applicants with information related to volunteer opportunities. If you have any questions about the collection and use of this information please contact Associate Director, Partnerships and Programs, 250-13450 102 Avenue, Surrey BC, V3T 0A3, 778-782-8082.    

Apply now!

Ready to learn about volunteering with the community as an SFU ambassador? Join the Community Engagement Volunteer Training Program.

Learn more

This opportunity is recognized on the Co-Curricular Record (CCR), an official university document that tracks your co-curricular involvement at SFU. Learn more about the Co-Curricular Record at www.sfu.ca/students/get-involved/recognition/co-curricular-record.