Mentoring with a positive role model provides a nurturing pathway for teenagers to feel supported through tough times, particularly if they feel they can’t talk to other significant adults in their lives. The power of having someone neutral to talk to who really listens, and actually hears, is extraordinary.
The tangible work of mentoring is when a more experienced person helps a less experienced person to identify and achieve their goals. Mentoring aims to provide a structured and trusting relationship that brings young people together with caring individuals who offer guidance, support and encouragement. The aim is often about developing the competence, character and confidence of the mentee. Our programs aim to bring community support around young people.
Once trained, mentors can chose to volunteer to any or all of the Young Love Foundation's mentoring programs which are as listed below:
bump - program for pregnant and parenting girls under 23 years of age
ismo - in school mentoring opportunity for guys and girls, mainly in year 9 and 10
connections - mentoring for guys and girls disengaged from education or employment
Mentor Training
Our mentors complete compulsory and professional accredited training conducted through TAFE Outreach Crows Nest, and is conducted in February/March each year. They undergo compulsory Working With Children Checks and Police Checks, give personal and professional references, and participate in regular debriefing and supervision activities. We also offer regular networking gatherings, and special interest training sessions.
Mentor Commitment
The general commitment required is one hour per week for mentoring and one hour per week of debriefing, in term time, for one school year. The Bump program also consists of 7 x 2 hour workshops throughout the year. Most of our programs operate during the day, Monday to Friday.
Mentee Feedback
Young people who have had a mentor talk about how fantastic it is to have someone who is interested in them and their life to talk to for a whole hour every single week. They report how much they look forward to seeing their mentor, that they dont skip school on the mentoring day, that the mentor doesn't judge them, and that they feel really special having a positive adult from the community take an interest in them.
Mentor Feedback
Mentors who volunteer talk about how much they learn from their mentee, how great it feels to make a real contribution to their community, how powerful the mentoring process is for helping teenagers to make their goals happen, how they enjoy giving and they actually get so much out of it themselves, and how wonderful it is to volunteer in a warm and welcoming group.
To complete a Mentor Application Form, please click here
To view a Mentor Position Description, please click here