Our mentoring program for high school students is called "Ismo" (In School Mentoring Opportunity) and to view an outline of our Ismo program, please click here.
In 2009 we conducted our mentoring program at Pittwater High, The Forest High and Cromer High. In 2010 we are taking the program to North Sydney Boys High, Mosman High, Pittwater High, Riverside Girls High, Ryde Secondary College and Mackellar Girls High.
We mentor for one hour per week face-to-face on school premises, followed by a group debrief for mentors. The mentoring is conducted in terms 2 and 3 and we conclude with a graduation celebration.
All of our mentors complete accredited training in Mentoring in the Community through TAFE Outreach Crows Nest, and they undergo all Working With Children Checks, as well as providing personal and employment references.
Students are invited to attend the Ismo program by teachers who feel the student might benefit from having a neutral positive role model in their lives, and the students choose whether they would like to be involved. Their parents then give consent for their son or daughter to attend the program.
The success of Ismo is the responsibility of an employed Program Counsellor through Young Love, and they carry the majority of the administrative work in making sure the program runs smoothly, with some assistance from a staff member of the school. Ismo is complementary to the welfare team in the school and helps to provide a community of support around those students who could do with some extra assistance.
Ismo is provided at no cost to the school for the first year. We do fundraising activities and apply for grants in order to ensure the schools can participate in the program without having to dip into their own budgets, as we understand how limited funds and resources are for them.
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To receive more information about Ismo or to register your School for mentoring in 2010, please email us at info@younglove.org.au