Hello all Mentors,
An invitation to all mentors in the BSW region.
VICTORIAN MENTORING SUMMIT - Warrnambool
Join other mentors from across the Barwon South West region, for a day out:
A river cruise on the Hopkins River followed by lunch at Proudfoots on the River, Warrnambool.
Date: 15th August 2009 Cost : just $5.00 per head.
Rsvp to rsamrai@brophy.org.au by Wed 14th Aug.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
BSW Mentoring Network Meeting; 21st July 2009
BSW Networking meeting: 21st July 2009
Updates from:
Cindy Jenkinson, Coramgamite Youth Worker. Details of the BRICKS program and the excellent feedback from program participants. Mentor and Parent training and how that was going. Information evenings for young people. Each young person devises a Strategic Plan.
Adeline McDonald, Kalay Wartee. Kalay Wartee members did a presentation to DHS and Dept of Justice at a recent Forum in W’bool with @250 people attending. This was a high profile event to launch the release of next years’ funding round with several heads of department present; a great opportunity for Kalay Wartee to show-case their work, including the involvement of their students on the day.
Leeona Van Duynhoven, SFYS (School focused youth service). Update on SFYS and involvement with schools. Youth Link ’55; an excellent network of youth and school related agencies working on Cyber bullying and planned school-based family violence training.
The mentors and Mentees then arrived, so we broke for lunch.
Adeline introduced the mentors and mentees and they were individually invited to give an insight into their experience of mentoring; both mentors said that this relationship was a totally new experience for them and a positive one, with huge learning and one that brought a great deal of satisfaction to see the young person grow and develop as an individual. Although within the family, parents and elders play a vital role in this program, the need for the mentor’s role in maintaining sensitivity and not-crossing boundaries with parents and families was also recognized.
The students also spoke about their experiences: taking part in activities that they had never done before and may never have had the opportunity given their circumstances and ‘being the first person in their family ever to get on to Year 12!’
The mentors acknowledged the huge amount of support given to them by Adeline and Damien in the Kalay Wartee program. A vital role, the mentors felt that they could call upon at anytime.
We also discussed the methods which can be used to capture the outputs and ways to evaluate a mentoring program like this, where the outcomes aren’t always measurable.
This was a very valuable experience and insight into how an indigenous mentoring program has been able to achieve some excellent outcomes.
THANKS to everyone who attended and in particular the mentors and mentees invaluable input.
Updates from:
Cindy Jenkinson, Coramgamite Youth Worker. Details of the BRICKS program and the excellent feedback from program participants. Mentor and Parent training and how that was going. Information evenings for young people. Each young person devises a Strategic Plan.
Adeline McDonald, Kalay Wartee. Kalay Wartee members did a presentation to DHS and Dept of Justice at a recent Forum in W’bool with @250 people attending. This was a high profile event to launch the release of next years’ funding round with several heads of department present; a great opportunity for Kalay Wartee to show-case their work, including the involvement of their students on the day.
Leeona Van Duynhoven, SFYS (School focused youth service). Update on SFYS and involvement with schools. Youth Link ’55; an excellent network of youth and school related agencies working on Cyber bullying and planned school-based family violence training.
The mentors and Mentees then arrived, so we broke for lunch.
Adeline introduced the mentors and mentees and they were individually invited to give an insight into their experience of mentoring; both mentors said that this relationship was a totally new experience for them and a positive one, with huge learning and one that brought a great deal of satisfaction to see the young person grow and develop as an individual. Although within the family, parents and elders play a vital role in this program, the need for the mentor’s role in maintaining sensitivity and not-crossing boundaries with parents and families was also recognized.
The students also spoke about their experiences: taking part in activities that they had never done before and may never have had the opportunity given their circumstances and ‘being the first person in their family ever to get on to Year 12!’
The mentors acknowledged the huge amount of support given to them by Adeline and Damien in the Kalay Wartee program. A vital role, the mentors felt that they could call upon at anytime.
We also discussed the methods which can be used to capture the outputs and ways to evaluate a mentoring program like this, where the outcomes aren’t always measurable.
This was a very valuable experience and insight into how an indigenous mentoring program has been able to achieve some excellent outcomes.
THANKS to everyone who attended and in particular the mentors and mentees invaluable input.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Mentoring Forum in Warrnambool
Brophy family and youth services hosted a forum on school-based mentoring on June 11th. The forum was aimed at schools heads, chaplains and welfare staff. The welcome to country was announced by Adeline Mc Donald; Joint coordinator of the Kalay Wartee Indigenous mentoring program based in Warrnambool and Sandra, a student on the program.
The 3 speakers for the evening were Jeanette Pritchard; Standing Tall Baimbridge College, Marylin Leermakers; Kids Hope Aus and Jacinta Tolland; Standing Tall Camperdown College. Two mentors also gave a brief insight of their mentoring experience. The presentations stimulated a lively discussion session between the audience and all the program coordinators, mentors and student present. There was a brief break out session for groups to give there perspective on school mentoring and these comments were aired to the whole group and noted for future progression. At the end of the forum there was interest in the audience to start a working group to set up a mentoring program in schools in Warrnambool; we hope to make a joint submission for funding thro this working group.
The 3 speakers for the evening were Jeanette Pritchard; Standing Tall Baimbridge College, Marylin Leermakers; Kids Hope Aus and Jacinta Tolland; Standing Tall Camperdown College. Two mentors also gave a brief insight of their mentoring experience. The presentations stimulated a lively discussion session between the audience and all the program coordinators, mentors and student present. There was a brief break out session for groups to give there perspective on school mentoring and these comments were aired to the whole group and noted for future progression. At the end of the forum there was interest in the audience to start a working group to set up a mentoring program in schools in Warrnambool; we hope to make a joint submission for funding thro this working group.
2nd Networking meeting; Barwon Metoring programs.
In June 08, we had our networking meeting at SGAE (Sthrn Gramps Adult Ed'n) run by Kathryn Hamill, and were invited to meet the students and mentors of the Youth Ed'n and VCAL progs. The prog assists students with literacy, numeracy and computing and some go on to do Cert 3 and 4 in a range of different subjects including media, advertising, photography, catering and hospitality and child care. Some of these students are severely disadvantages and living under very difficult conditions. This program helps many to achieve a qualification which can then assist in securing employment. Recently they held a graduation ball to celebrate the achievements of individual students, with the added opportunity to dress for the occasion!
At the networking meeting we had a good turn out of program coordinators and we welcomed Cindy Jenkinson, Youth Development Officer at Corangamite Shire. We discussed the inherent problem of sustaining regional mentoring progs and possible means of funding. Upcoming dates and events are also planned for the year ahead.
Watch this space for an update on the next meeting.
At the networking meeting we had a good turn out of program coordinators and we welcomed Cindy Jenkinson, Youth Development Officer at Corangamite Shire. We discussed the inherent problem of sustaining regional mentoring progs and possible means of funding. Upcoming dates and events are also planned for the year ahead.
Watch this space for an update on the next meeting.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
West of Barwon South West Region!
Recently we held our first networking meeting for mentoring programs at this end of the Region. We got a chance to meet The Shed program based at the YMCA Portland, where they repair and put together old bikes and motors for lawn mowers. It was great to see the enthusiasm of the young students and the dedication of the older Mentors and how both age groups worked so well together.
The Program Coordinators who attended this meeting were able to exchange notes about their own programs and we also came up with a list of 'challenging' areas which we hope to tackle together as a network.
If you are a involved with a mentoring program in the BSW Region and would like to get involved; this includes coordinators, mentors and mentees/students or even someone thinking of setting up a mentoring program, PLEASE get in touch. There are many resources and sources of information which we can access on youth mentoring, so please don't struggle on your own.
Rashmita Samrai
Regional Mentoring Coordinator.
Recently we held our first networking meeting for mentoring programs at this end of the Region. We got a chance to meet The Shed program based at the YMCA Portland, where they repair and put together old bikes and motors for lawn mowers. It was great to see the enthusiasm of the young students and the dedication of the older Mentors and how both age groups worked so well together.
The Program Coordinators who attended this meeting were able to exchange notes about their own programs and we also came up with a list of 'challenging' areas which we hope to tackle together as a network.
If you are a involved with a mentoring program in the BSW Region and would like to get involved; this includes coordinators, mentors and mentees/students or even someone thinking of setting up a mentoring program, PLEASE get in touch. There are many resources and sources of information which we can access on youth mentoring, so please don't struggle on your own.
Rashmita Samrai
Regional Mentoring Coordinator.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Great mentoring resources
There are two terrific Australian websites with a huge array of resources, research and advice for existing or new mentoring programs to access for free:
The Victorian Youth Mentoring Alliance offers a search facility of their extensive mentoring program database as well as program snapshots and upcoming Victorian mentoring events and activities.
The national Youth Mentoring Network provides a wealth of information on mentoring including extensive Australian and overseas research and benchmarks for mentoring programs to follow.
All mentoring coordinators or people interested in setting up a mentoring program would be well served by exploring both of these sites.
The Victorian Youth Mentoring Alliance offers a search facility of their extensive mentoring program database as well as program snapshots and upcoming Victorian mentoring events and activities.
The national Youth Mentoring Network provides a wealth of information on mentoring including extensive Australian and overseas research and benchmarks for mentoring programs to follow.
All mentoring coordinators or people interested in setting up a mentoring program would be well served by exploring both of these sites.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Did the Colac forum deliver on the promise?
The 'Youth Mentoring - Communities Delivering on the Promise' forum held in Colac on October 30th highlighted the potential and challenges of both youth mentoring itself and, by extension, how to support programs regionally.
Guest speaker Jeanette Pritchard's presentation focussed on how to energise communities to support young people by taking ownership of youth mentoring programs. Drawing on her research and experience with the Standing Tall program in Hamilton, Jeanette outlined how, from a resiliency perspective, mentoring young people by adults in the community can be an effective way to help reduce risk factors and boost protective factors. However, for a program to have these outcomes it must be well run on sound principles and operate in an environment where participants and the community feel ownership over the program.
Click here to access Jeanette's powerpoint presentation via the Youth Mentoring Network's website.
The panel discussion featured:
Click here to access Jeanette's powerpoint presentation via the Youth Mentoring Network's website.
The panel discussion featured:
- Shannon Lutrell (Big Brothers Big Sisters, Geelong)
- Wendy Cannon (Aspire, Warrnambool)
- Jacinta Tolland (Camperdown P-12 College)
- Sarah Johnson (Victorian Youth Mentoring Alliance - state body)
- Sylvia Utami (Youth Mentoring Network - national body).
Panel discussion points:
- do your research with potential participants (young people and mentors) to ensure there is sufficient demand for this program
- don't reinvent the wheel: use previous models and experience of other organisations, stay connected the your local network and use the resources on VYMA and YMN websites
- make sure young people feel ownership of the program as early as possible in planning process so they won't run a mile once it's set up
- develop community investment by making your program indispensible and making sure you promote what you do well
- moving outside your own sector to set up partnerships can build better programs and help make them more sustainable
- be creative in developing strategies for engaging business in your program
- be realistic and informed about the resources (especially staff time) involved in planning and running a good mentoring program
The forum then looked at potential actions for a Regional Coordination Project around supporting youth mentoring in the region. Suggestions included:
- Explore options to make the 'first step' easier for schools and organisations, such as model development, recruitment & training of mentors
- Scope potential programs and organisations in the region which could benefit from working together in partnership
- Set up a Barwon South West regional steering group to inform the Regional Coordination Project worker
- Explore links with volunteer support organisations to centralise a trained mentor pool
- Encourage partnerships between schools and community organsations to deliver a coordinated approach to recruiting and training mentors for schools to access
Feedback from participants indicated that the forum met their expectations (93% favourable) in terms of the 5 objectives of the forum:
- Increase awareness of youth mentoring and its potential in the region
- Increase understanding of the issues of youth mentoring programs new & existing
- A more thoughtful, collaborative and informed approach to planning & implementing programs
- Provide a springboard to future training opportunities
- Develop some actions for regional support
The forum will provide our new Regional Coordination Project worker (due to commence soon) with a solid foundation to work with from here. Thankyou to everyone for participating in the forum and look forward to seeing you at future events as part of the Barwon South West Youth Mentoring Network.
Thanks to our panel members and especially Sylvia from the national Youth Mentoring Network for partnering in this forum and travelling down from Sydney for the day.
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