BBBSV launched the PRISM mentorship program with the help of Victoria Foundation to help youth identified as 2SLGBTQIA+ to build connections, confidence and a sense of belonging. (Courtesy of BBBSV)
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Victoria (BBBSV) is offering a dedicated group mentoring program for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth in Greater Victoria.
The program, named PRISM, supports youths aged 14-18 by creating a consistent and affirming space where they can connect with peers and trusted adult mentors who understand their lived experiences. The free program is designed to reduce isolation and strengthen mental well-being for the youth who identify as members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
Under the mentorship program, the participants get to regularly meet in a group setting that consists of discussions, creative activities, games, and youth-led programs. Its focus is on building connections, confidence, and a sense of belonging.
Adult mentors who either belong to the 2SLGBTAIA+ community or have shown support to the community are invited to serve as mentors. They will be trained to provide inclusive and identity-affirming guidance while serving as positive role models.
All mentors are screened and trained through BBBSV’s established child-safety process, including criminal record checks, interviews, and ongoing training. They also receive additional education specific to supporting queer and questioning youth.
According to the organizers, the need for programs like PRISM is significant because the youth who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ experience higher rates of anxiety, depression, and suicide risk.
“In Canada, one in three transgender youth will attempt suicide. These risks are compounded by ongoing exposure to discrimination, misinformation, and hostility in media and public discourse,” said PRISM coordinator James Barbeiro.
The organizers noted that for many youth, mentorship within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community has historically filled gaps where family or social support may be limited.
A grant from the Victoria Foundation helped launch the program, and BBBSV said that additional community support is needed to sustain and expand PRISM and its other youth mentoring programs.
The programs of BBBSV rely mostly on local funding. All mentoring programs are offered free of charge, and they say that the demand from families in Greater Victoria currently exceeds their available resources.
PRISM is currently accepting applications for the program from families in the Capital Region, and the program will commence in January 2026. Applications can be submitted online by visiting: victoria.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca/prism/.
Those who would like to volunteer as mentors can contact the organizers for more information. Barbeiro can be reached at 778-404-1721, or by email at [email protected]. Community members who are interested in supporting youth mentorship at BBBSV can donate at: victoria.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca/donate/.
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