Who are We?
The Young Love Foundation is a non-profit organisation contributing to the health and wellbeing of youth in our community.
What do we do?
We provide school and community based mentoring programs and personal development workshops for teenagers who are facing profound challenges in their lives, such as mental health, substance abuse, and sexual health issues.
How do we work?
We attract local volunteers who complete an accredited TAFE training course in Mentoring in the Community. They complete appropriate Working With Children checks and then volunteer to our various mentoring programs. We run workshops for young people and those who work or live with them. We are an independent charity who is not affiliated with any religious or political organisations, and we are managed by a professional board of industry experts.
Why are we needed?
The most common illness we see in teenagers now is depression
1 in 3 young Australian deaths is due to suicide
1 in 4 12-15 year olds consume alcohol weekly
1 in 4 girls and 1 in 7 boys are victims of child sexual abuse
Australia has the third highest rate of teenage pregnancy in the developed world
All the indicators are that our teenagers are in crisis, and their self esteem is suffering
Having a mentor does make a tangible impact for young people
What is mentoring?
Mentoring from 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 you, is extraordinary. Our mentoring programs assist to build community support around young people.
What are our workshops?
Our personal development workshops provide teenagers with the right resources at an early stage so they are prepared for life, and their life chances are greatly enhanced. They are fun, innovative and engaging.
What programs do we run?
Our Ismo program addresses the challenges that young people are facing, mainly in years 9 and 10 at school. We mentor for an hour a week in term time on school premises. Our Bump program is for teenage mums. Women who are mums themselves volunteer to visit young mums for an hour a week, and attend monthly workshops together on specialist topics specific to the challenges that teenage mums face. We have partnered with the Salvation Army and TAFE to run mentoring for the Youth Connections program in lower north Sydney. We also run parent coaching programs for parents of teenagers and regular parent seminars.
How can you help us?
Volunteer to become a mentor, and do our free TAFE accredited mentor training
Come to our regular innovative fundraising events
Become a silver, gold or platinum sponsor of Young Love
Offer your time, treasure or talent to help us make a difference in young people’s lives
Make a donation or provide us with a funding grant
Ask us to run training or workshops for your school or organisation
Refer a young mum to our Bump program
Enrol in our workshops for parents of teenagers
Who benefits from mentoring?
Young people from all walks of life
Mentors and volunteers who want to make a difference and give back
Communities which are looking for positive impacts on relationships and connectedness
How do I become a mentor?
To become a Young Love mentor, you need to complete and submit an application form, attend our mentor training program and undergo relevant Working With Children checks. After that, you will be ready to meet with a young person for an hour a week and make a real difference in their lives.
When is the next mentor training?
We conduct our mentor training every year in term 1 for 6 weeks from mid February through an accredited TAFE mentoring program run by Crows Nest TAFE Outreach. Send us an email at info@younglove.org.au to enrol in our next training program which will commence in February 2011.
How do I find a mentor for myself or someone I know?
To be matched up with a mentor, please call us on (0419) 633 881 or email us at info@younglove.org.au and we will endeavour to find you a match as soon as we can.
How can you contact us?
Young Love Foundation Pty Ltd
PO Box 534, Spit Junction, NSW, 2088
M 0419 633 881