Mentor programs for youth
Choosing a Mentor Program for Your Teen.
Search for mentor programs for youth and you'll find nonprofits, school programs, group courses, and private mentors — all called "mentoring." This guide explains the four main types, what each is good at, and how to choose.
The four types
What 'Mentoring' Can Mean.
Each type solves a different problem. None is universally best — the right one depends on what your teen needs and how soon.
Community nonprofit programs
Organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters match youth with screened volunteers, usually for a long-term commitment.
Free or low-cost and genuinely valuable — but waitlists often run months, and matching depends on who volunteers nearby.
School-based programs
Many schools pair students with teachers, counsellors, or older students for informal mentoring during the school year.
Convenient and free, but tied to the school calendar, and the mentor's time is split across many students.
Group and online programs
Cohort-based programs run workshops or group video calls around topics like leadership or careers.
Good for exposure and peers, but your teen is one of many — little room for their specific situation.
Paid one-on-one mentoring
A dedicated experienced adult meets your teen privately, on a schedule you choose, session by session.
Starts this week, built entirely around your teen — and costs money, typically per session.
Before you sign up
Four Questions to Ask Any Program.
These apply to every option on this page — including this one.
Who exactly will my teen talk to?
You should know the mentor's name, background, and experience before the first session — not just an organization name.
How are safety and boundaries handled?
Look for a written code of conduct, parent consent for minors, and communication that stays on professional channels.
What's the commitment?
Some programs ask for a semester or a year. Others, like this one, work one session at a time so you can stop anytime.
What does a session actually produce?
A good conversation should end with something concrete — a decision made clearer, or one next step your teen agreed to.
When one-on-one mentoring here fits
- Your teen needs to talk this month, not after a waitlist
- You want to know exactly who the mentor is before you book
- Your teen has a specific situation — motivation, career direction, confidence, a big decision
- You'd rather try one session than commit to a semester
- Online sessions fit your family's schedule better than driving somewhere
How it works here
Your teen meets the same experienced adult every time — a sales executive, entrepreneur, and father — in private, scheduled video calls. Every session follows the same shape: listen, plan, follow up. Parents book and consent for anyone under 18, and a written code of conduct covers boundaries and safety.
What it costs
Clear Prices, One Session at a Time.
All prices in Canadian dollars. Most families start with Listen and book again only if it helped.
Keep Reading
Related guides for parents and teens.
You Don't Need to Have Everything Figured Out.
Sometimes the first step isn't finding the answer. It's finding someone willing to listen.
LISTEN → PLAN → FOLLOW UP