Youth Mentoring Forum in Colac on August 27th

The upcoming Barwon South West Youth Mentoring Forum is titled 'Youth Mentoring - Communities delivering on the promise'. I encourage anyone working with young people that is interested (or cynical!) about youth mentoring to attend the forum - a combination of presentation, panel and group discussion designed to inform and promote action.

Many people are talking about youth mentoring - and governments and funders are starting to put in the dollars to fund programs that they expect will deliver good outcomes for young people - but how many organisations and communities are equipped to deliver on the promise?

Research suggests that youth mentoring can have positive impacts on young people, but a poorly run program can have negative consequences for a young participant.

This forum will provide an opportunity for professionals and community members working with young people to learn about youth mentoring, hear stories about the programs in the region and discuss how communities can work together to build stronger, more effective youth mentoring programs.

'Youth Mentoring - Communities delivering on the promise'

• Learn how well-run youth mentoring programs can help connect young people to their communities and improve personal, educational and social outcomes.
• Hear stories from current program coordinators on the highlights, challenges and implications of running successful youth mentoring programs
• What does the research say about the benefits and limitations of youth mentoring?
• Discuss regional and community responses - how can we get there from here?

Hear from guest speaker Jeanette Pritchard from the successful 'Standing Tall' mentoring model at Baimbridge College and other coordinators, mentors and young people involved in mentoring programs across the Barwon South West region.

The forum will be facilitated by Damien Becker of the Barwon South West Youth Mentoring Network who are coordinating this event in partnership with the national Youth Mentoring Network.

Any organisations or community groups involved in working with young people are encouraged to attend, including schools, TAFEs, welfare organisations, police, business groups, local government, neighbourhood houses, sporting clubs, cultural and arts organisations.

Venue: Colac Otways Performing Arts Centre
Address: Cnr Gellibrand and Rae St, Colac VIC 3250 (map below)

Date: Wednesday 27th August 1.30pm - 4pm

Cost: Free, refreshments provided

Limited places. To request an attendance registration form, contact Damien Becker on 55618888 or at dbecker@brophy.org.au


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