Thrift & Thrive Mentor (Volunteer Role Supporting Youth)

Thrift & Thrive Mentor (Volunteer Role Supporting Youth)

Role Summary

Thrift & Thrive Mentors are caring adult volunteers who are matched with one or two youth participants (ages 16–24) for an 8-week Thrift & Thrive Internship cohort. Mentors attend four Saturday workshops with their mentee(s), with dedicated mentorship time built into each workshop. There are no separate mentorship meetings or check-ins outside of the workshops.

Mentors help participants build confidence, develop leadership and workplace skills, reflect on their experiences, set goals, and complete a youth-led community awareness project.

Mentors are not counsellors or subject matter experts. Their role is to listen, encourage, ask thoughtful questions, celebrate successes, and help participants recognize their strengths and potential.

Program Summary

“Thrift & Thrive Future Leaders” is a free 8-week internship program for youth ages 16–24 that combines hands-on workplace experience at Low Entropy Foundation's Thrift & Fund community thrift store with leadership and career readiness training, mentorship, and anti-hate and anti-racism education. Participants also create a youth-led community awareness project promoting inclusion, belonging, and respect.

Time Commitment

Mentors must be available for the required mentor training and all four Saturday workshops. Please review the dates below before applying.

Mentors commit to attending:

• Mentor Training (required, day and time TBA)
• Saturday, October 3, 2026 10am-4pm
• Saturday, October 17, 2026 10am-4pm
• Saturday, November 7, 2026 10am-4pm
• Saturday, November 28, 2026 10am-4pm

Location for all four workshops: Bettie Allard YMCA, 555 Emerson Street, Coquitlam, BC V3J 0N2

Mentors are matched with one or two participants for the full cohort. No additional meetings with mentees are required between workshops.

Responsibilities

As a Thrift & Thrive Mentor, you will:

• Build a positive, supportive relationship with one or two participants.
• Attend all workshops and the required mentor training session.
• Meet with your mentee(s) during the dedicated mentorship portion of each workshop.
• Support participants in setting and achieving personal, leadership, and employment goals.
• Encourage participants as they gain workplace experience through weekly internship shifts at Low Entropy Foundation's Thrift & Fund community thrift store.
• Help participants develop, refine, and present their youth-led community awareness project.
• Celebrate participant growth and accomplishments throughout the program.
• Complete a brief mentor reflection following each workshop.
• Communicate any participant concerns or support needs with program staff.
• Maintain the program's mentorship boundaries, including keeping mentorship activities within scheduled program workshops unless otherwise directed by program staff.

We're Looking For People Who

• Are 19 years of age or older
• Have previous experience working with, supporting, coaching, teaching, or mentoring youth
• Enjoy encouraging and supporting young people
• Are dependable and able to commit to the required mentor training and all four workshop dates
• Are positive, patient, respectful, and non-judgmental
• Value diversity, inclusion, and belonging
• Are comfortable listening, asking thoughtful questions, and encouraging personal growth
• Can maintain appropriate boundaries and confidentiality
• Are comfortable supporting up to two youth participants throughout the cohort

Preferred Experience

Additional experience in one or more of the following areas is considered an asset:

• Education
• Coaching or mentorship
• Leadership or management
• Human resources or career development
• Community or nonprofit organizations
• Social services
• Retail or customer service leadership
• Diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism, or anti-hate initiatives

Mentors do not need to be experts in anti-racism, anti-hate, career development, or financial literacy. Relevant workshop content will be delivered by program staff and facilitators. Mentors are there to provide encouragement, reflection, and relationship-based support to their mentee(s).

Screening & Selection

To help ensure a safe and supportive environment for participants, all prospective Thrift & Thrive Mentors will complete Low Entropy Foundation’s volunteer screening and selection process, including:

• Completing a volunteer application
• Participating in an interview with program staff
• Completing a Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Check
• Providing references, if requested
• Completing the required mentor training before being matched with a participant

Mentor placements are subject to successful completion of the screening process and will be based on program needs and an appropriate match with participating youth.

Mentor Training

Before the cohort begins, all selected mentors will participate in a required mentor training session to prepare them for their role and ensure they feel confident supporting their mentee(s).

Training will cover:

• An introduction to Low Entropy Foundation and the Thrift & Thrive Internship
• Program goals, structure, and expectations
• The role and responsibilities of a Thrift & Thrive Mentor
• Building positive and supportive mentoring relationships with youth
• Effective communication, active listening, and asking thoughtful questions
• Strengths-based and trauma-informed approaches to supporting youth
• Appropriate boundaries, confidentiality, and when to involve program staff
• Supporting participants with goal setting, reflection, and personal growth
• Supporting youth-led community awareness projects
• Understanding the mentor's role within the anti-hate and anti-racism components of the program
• Workshop logistics, dedicated mentorship time, and expectations throughout the cohort

What You'll Gain

As a Thrift & Thrive Mentor, you'll have the opportunity to:

• Make a meaningful difference in the lives of one or two young people
• Support youth as they build confidence, workplace skills, and leadership abilities
• Gain practical experience supporting youth through a structured mentorship program
• Strengthen your own mentoring, leadership, communication, and active listening skills
• Support the development of future community leaders
• Contribute to a program that promotes inclusion, belonging, and positive community change
• Connect with other mentors, volunteers, and community members
• Receive a certificate recognizing your volunteer contribution

What Mentors Are NOT Responsible For

Mentors are not expected to:

• Provide counselling, therapy, or crisis support
• Be experts in anti-racism, anti-hate, career development, or financial literacy
• Teach or facilitate the program workshops
• Supervise participants' weekly thrift store shifts
• Meet with mentees outside of scheduled workshops

Low Entropy staff and workshop facilitators are responsible for program delivery and participant support. Mentors are there to provide encouragement, reflection, and relationship-based support.