Mentorship Program
Become a Mentor. Change a Young Person’s Journey.
Support newcomer youth as they build confidence, navigate life in Canada, and feel a sense of belonging in their new community.
Volunteer Opportunities
Intro Program - Classroom Assistant
- During summer, we will provide two in-person summer programs for newly arrived Ukrainian children and youth. One program will be hosted at our agency, while the other will be at two satellite sites in the city of Winnipeg.
- Volunteers will support with program lessons and activities, help supervise students, Assist with classroom prep (cleaning and sanitizing, prepping lesson material, etc.), and help with other tasks assigned during program.
- This program runs from July 4th to August 25th (Monday to Thursday) from 8:30 -4:00 pm.
- Volunteers are required to have a consistent schedule (i.e. volunteering every Monday afternoon until further notice or the end of program). Ideally volunteers will be able to help for the eight weeks this program is being run.
- Volunteers can choose to work for the full day from 8:30 – 4:30 pm, in the morning from 8:30 – 12:30 pm or in the afternoon from 12:30 – 4:30 pm.
- Ukrainian language not required.
Intro Program -Classroom Assistant
Classroom Assistant Volunteers will assist Introduction to Canadian Education staff deliver orientation activities and curriculum to newly arrived refugee children and youth ages 6 to end of high school who have not yet attended school in Canada.
Volunteer Shifts available :
- Volunteers can volunteer for the full day from 8:30-3:30 PM
- Volunteers can volunteer in the morning from 8:30-12:00 PM
- Volunteers can volunteer in the afternoon from 12:00-3:30 PM
Classroom Assistant will :
- Assist in the delivery of individual and group classroom activities and curriculum
- Help with classroom set-up, preparation of materials and clean-up
- Work directly with newcomer clients to develop supportive and productive relationships.
Why Mentorship Matters
Newcomer youth face real challenges as they settle into a new country—adjusting to school, building friendships, and understanding unfamiliar systems. Some may experience pressure to fit in or encounter risky situations.
Build confidence and belonging
Help youth navigate new environments
Support safe and positive decision-making
Strengthen community connections
About Mentorship Program
Our Mentorship Program pairs dedicated volunteers with newcomer high school students. Together, you’ll spend time building trust, exploring interests, and helping youth feel supported as they settle into their new community.
Program Snapshot
- Commitment: 9 months
- Who You’ll Mentor: Newcomer students ages 12+ attending high school
- Time Commitment: Meet twice per month, 1–3 hours per session
- Share knowledge about life in Canada
- Start Date: As early as May 2026
What Mentors DO
- Meet with your mentee twice per month for 9 months
- Build a supportive and consistent relationship
- Help them explore interests and goals
- Share knowledge about life in Canada
- Be a positive role model
We Support You Every Step of the Way!
You are never doing this alone – we are here to support you throughout your membership journey.
Onboarding & training
Ongoing support and resources
Complimentary tickets to events & activities
Dedicated staff to guide you
Who should apply?
You don’t need to be an expert – just someone who cares!
- Reliable and able to commit to twice-monthly meetings
- Passionate about supporting newcomer youth
- Open to learning and growing in the role
*Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Search and Child Abuse Registry Check needed for all volunteers
In-Person Language Assistant
Volunteer Language Assistants will assist Introduction to Canadian Education staff to deliver orientation activities to newly arrived refugee children and youth ages 6 to end of high school who have not yet attended school in Canada, with a particular focus of helping provide language assistance to youth who do not speak English. Program runs Monday to Thursday and volunteers are needed between 8:30-3:30 PM
Volunteer language assistants will:
- Provide interpretation supports to clients as needed
- Assist in the delivery of individual and group classroom activities
- Support with the delivery of our orientation curriculum
- Help ensure that all classroom materials and supplies are prepared for each activity. Help with classroom set-up and clean-up.
- Work directly with newcomer clients to develop supportive and productive relationships
- Prepare clients for entry into the Canadian school system
- Communicate client issues with lead staf
Please confirm your interest in this position and the language(s) you could support in at volunteers@needsinc.ca
Volunteers must commit to a minimum of 3-4 hours per week for three consecutive months
Volunteer Language Assistant shifts are generally scheduled as:
8:30 am – 12:00 pm
12:00 pm – 3:30 pm
8:30 am – 3:30 pm
French Remote Homework Assistant
- Volunteers will remotely assist SWIS Staff in our after-school homework club for newcomer and refugee children and youth in Grades 1 through 12.
- Volunteers help supervise, tutor/mentor students with homework in various subject areas in French including but not limiting, math, science, social studies, health education etc.
- This program runs during the school year (Sept-Jun) on Mondays through Thursdays from 4:00-8:00 PM.
- We are running this academic year’s homework club remotely using a video conferencing App. Volunteers will be paired with clients and assigned to a breakout room on the video conferencing platform to provide one-on-one support based on their preferred subjects and areas they feel comfortable supporting clients with.
How to apply?
- A minimum commitment of 2.5 hours per week for three consecutive months
- All volunteers will be responsible for getting a Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Search on your own and you’ll need to provide identifications so that N.E.E.D.S. Inc. can apply for your Child Abuse Registry Check.
- Attend an interview with our Volunteer Coordinator
- A two-hour orientation session is provided for all volunteers.