Kinnections Mentoring Program
UNYA’s Kinnections Program matches Indigenous youth ages 16 to 18 with trained volunteer mentors. If
you are looking for mentorship opportunities for Indigenous youth ages 12 to 15, please navigate to the
Mentorship Program on our main Programs page, under ”Community & Connection.”
Our mentors help you realize your strengths, work towards your goals, and build your confidence and
independence. Your mentor will be a supportive, caring, and stable role model who can help you with
setting goals and develop life skills.
Mentorship in the Kinnections program is an opportunity to form a trusting relationship with a non-
judgmental, encouraging adult who you can talk to, try new activities with, and go to for advice. Your
mentor can also provide support as you transition into adulthood.
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COMMITMENT:
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Youth must be willing to commit to meeting their mentor for two to four hours per week for at
least one year.
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WHO ARE OUR MENTORS:
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Our Volunteer Mentors are a diverse group with varied backgrounds and life experiences. While
the youth in our program may self identify as Indigenous, our mentor bring diversity in terms of
their identity, education, employment and life stories.
Youth must be able to communicate and meet in person with their mentor on a weekly basis.
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Program Activities
- Self-directed, community-based activities that are fun, positive, and healthy, including: arts and culture, sports and rec, educational, and social activities
- Support with housing search, job search, budgeting, community connection and cultural engagement
- Group activities hosted by staff for program participants include: medicine walks, dream catcher workshops, movie nights, pottery sessions etc.
How To Get Involved
The Kinnections Program is for Indigenous youth ages 16 to 18 who want to connect with a role
model for support, to work towards goals, or towards positive change.
Indigenous youth ages 16 to 18 can self-refer or be referred by someone else, as long as the
youth are aware of and receptive to the referral. Youth will be matched with a mentor based on
needs, interests, availability and location. Priority is given to Ministry of Children and Family
Development (MCFD) referrals.
If you or a youth you know would like a mentor with the UNYA Kinnections Program, please
complete referral form here: https://www.cognitoforms.com/UrbanNativeYouthAssociation/KINNECTIONSSelfReferralForm
The earliest youth can apply to the Kinnections is 6 months before their 16th birthday.
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OUR WAITLIST MAY BE LENGTHY and may not be able to match everyone on our waitlist
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If you are interested in becoming a mentor, please fill out the Kinnections Volunteer Application
located here: https://unya.bc.ca/programs/kinnections-program/