Outlink

Welcome to Calgary Outlink’s 2SLGBTQ+ Mentorship Program! If you're looking for a little extra support, guidance on navigating life as an 2SLGBTQ+ person, or some community connection, this program may be for you!

 

We have started this program in hopes of bringing community together and offering some support to those that are looking for it. We encourage learning from each other's rich and diverse experiences, and  sometimes the best knowledge comes from lived experiences and community relations. We want you to have the opportunity to share that! We also know that sometimes folks need a little help, support, and positive influence in their lives. Our program is here to make that happen!

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MENTOR applications are currently closed. They will reopen in late Summer 2025. You're welcome to add yourself to our volunteer waitlist here.  ​

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MENTEE applications are now open! The deadline to apply is Wednesday, June 11, 2025. 

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Please note: if on our mobile site, you may need to scroll down further to find the application button. 

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​​If you are interested in being a MENTEE:

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• You’re age 13+ (no age limit)

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• You can be in the program from August-December 2025

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• You’re open to meeting someone new and learning from each other

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• You will adhere to any public health and safety protocols in place through Outlink

 

Please note that if you are under the age of 18, you will need a parent or guardian to sign a consent form to participate in the program. If this will be an issue for you, please indicate this in the application or contact zak@calgaryoutlink.ca.

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​If you are interested in being a MENTOR: 

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• You’re age 25+

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• You can be a mentor from August-December 2025 - if not matched this time you have the option of volunteering in another role at Outlink and/or wait for the next round​

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• Your commitment will vary depending on how much time is spent with your mentee and how much preparation and planning is needed. Approximately 0.5-1 hour of admin work (check-in forms, communication with Outlink staff, etc), will be required per month.​

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• You want to have a positive impact on someone’s life

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• You have good communication skills or are working at it 

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• You consider yourself to be friendly and approachable

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• You’re willing to provide a police check with vulnerable sector search if mentoring a minor (we will cover the cost)

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• You will adhere to any public health and safety protocols in place through Outlink

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• You can partake in a mandatory 30 hour peer support training with multiple sessions from April 29-May 31, 2025

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While we are seeking mentors of all diverse identities and backgrounds, we are looking for more applicants of the following (based on prior and current need):

- Trans and non-binary folks who are open to sharing insight into identity, transitioning, and coming out

- Gay/bi/pan/queer men who have experience with navigating identity and community

- Folks who have navigated immigrating to Canada

- Folks who are Black, Indigenous, and/or people of colour

 

*Note about volunteer training:

Sessions will be held on most Tuesday evenings and Saturdays OR Sundays during the day from April 29-May 31, 2025. Weekday sessions will be online, and weekends will be in-person.

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Weeknight sessions will be 2-2.5 hours, and weekends will be 2.5-3 hours each. We will usually have two sessions on weekends, so we will be together for the day.

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While training sessions are mandatory, we recognize that things may come up that are out of your control. If you miss two sessions, we will follow up with you, and you may be asked to re-evaluate your ability to commit to our volunteer program. Missing more than two sessions may result in you being asked to no longer participate in this round of our training program.

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Onboarding processes will take place in June, after training. The mentorship pairing process will take place in July.​​

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PROGRAM INFORMATION:

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How it works:

Pairs will be paired and introduced through an Outlink staff. Mentees and mentors will decide how often they want to communicate and/or meet up. They will also decide their own boundaries and what they want their mentorship relationship to look like. Some examples of what can be done in a mentorship are meeting up, going to events together, having check-ins, setting goals and plans, and having conversations about any support needed. Mentors can record the time and date of communications with their mentee and take notes for their own record-keeping if they wish.

 

Both the mentee and mentor will have a check-in with staff one month into the program to see how it’s going. After that, the mentor will be required to check in once a month through an online form. When the mentorship round ends, both the mentee and mentor hav e the option to fill out a feedback form. 

 

What happens if there’s an issue? We will provide a conflict resolution skills handout that can help with addressing conflict. We encourage conflicts to be addressed and resolved between the two of you. If this isn’t possible or you need more help, you can contact Outlink staff. 

 

*We will try our very best but there is no guarantee that you will be paired* 

 

If you are not paired this time, please re-apply in the future!

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If you have any questions, feel free to contact Zak at zak@calgaryoutlink.ca.

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