Interested in
becoming a mentor?
We'd love to hear from you!
Please use the link on this page to set up a short phone call where we can get to know you a little better and answer any questions you may have. Also, please see the FAQs below for answers to some commonly asked questions about becoming a mentor.
How to get involved with Circles
Becoming a Circles mentor is a 4 step process.
Step 1 - We want to hear from you!
Click here to schedule a short phone call where we can learn a bit more about you and answer any questions you may have about the program.
Step 2Â - We want to get to know you.
You will fill out our volunteer application, which includes gathering 3 references, as well as scheduling a volunteer intake interview. You will also need to complete a vulnerable sector check.​
Step 3Â - We want to train you.
Circles mentor training consists of 4 modules between 2-3 hours each. These modules cover topics such as the foster care system in Ontario, the effects of trauma, how to care for someone who has experienced trauma (and how to care for yourself), and intercultural literacy and sensitivity. We know that this is a significant investment of time, but believe this will best equip you to connect with and support the youth you are matched with.​
Step 4Â - We want to match you.
We will team you up with two other mentors who will balance you and support you. Then we’ll match your team with a youth in foster care who will benefit from your particular skills and interests.
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Who can be in Circles?Circles mentoring program is for youth ages 10-16 who live in the Greater Toronto Area and who are currently involved in the foster care system in Ontario. Circles is open to any youth in kinship service or care agreements, or who are in the legal custody of a foster family. Because Circles is specifically focused on supporting youth through the aging out process, youth who are legally adopted, or are in the adoption process, would not be a match.
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Who can refer a youth to Circles?Any caring adult in a young person’s life can refer them: social workers, coaches, relatives, therapists, foster parents, and other caregivers. If the youth is currently involved in any other mentoring programs, such as Big Brothers/Sisters, they would not be a match for the Circles program. Our goal is to serve youth who are not already benefiting from a mentoring relationship.
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How long can a young person be in Circles?Circles exists to provide supportive and stable community for youth in foster care, particularly during and beyond the aging out process. As such, Circles is not designed to be a short term mentoring program and once a youth is part of Circles, there is no age cut off or time limit. Our goal is that the youth will be supported by a mentor team for as long as he or she desires. If a mentor has to step away from the team for any reason, we facilitate a healthy goodbye and welcome a new mentor to the team.
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What does Circles involve?Every young person is matched with a team of three adult mentors who commit to spending 1-2 hours a week together doing things they all enjoy, like playing a sport, doing crafts, or exploring a new neighbourhood. Whether in person or online, there will always be at least two adults present with a young person. The time mentors spend with their youth is about fun and friendship - our volunteers are not tutors or therapists. If the youth would like to work towards a specific goal with their mentors they are encouraged to do so, keeping in mind the emphasis of Circles is on relationship and not performance.
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How will a young person be matched and how long will it take?When a young person is referred to Circles, we will meet with them to find out more about their personality and interests so we can match them with the best team possible. Our matching process can take awhile (several weeks or more, depending on our pool of mentors), because we are trying to lay the foundation for long-term relationships and support. When a young person is referred, we will let you and them know how soon we expect to have mentors available, and we will keep you updated.
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What is the cost?There is no cost for Circles. We encourage all our teams to choose activities that are low or no cost, and any activities that do have a cost are covered by Circles.
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Who are the volunteers?All Circles mentors are volunteers who have been screened, trained, and have passed a vulnerable sector check. All our mentors come from a wide variety of church communities and Christian faith traditions, but there is no requirement or expectation that any youth follow any faith or partake in any religious expression or activity.
Have more questions? We can help.
Build Your Circle
We love it when every mentor in a team comes from the same church community! Whether you are an individual interested in building a mentor team from within your church, or a church leader with whom this program resonates, we would love to support you in bringing the vision of Circles to your church community.
Please contact circles@yugta.ca for more information on how we can support you in this.
Interested in joining our Circle? Learn how you can become a mentor.