November 2004

Mentor program helps young people leaving State care

A new $100,000 mentoring program will help young people leaving State care make the successful transition to living in the community.

Launching the Leaving Care Mentoring Program, Community Services Minister Sherryl Garbutt said the Government-funded program will target young people aged 16 to 18 leaving State care and will operate in Melbourne’s northern and western suburbs and the greater Geelong region.

The new mentoring program will be run by Whitelion, co-founded by former AFL player Glenn Manton, in partnership with MacKillop Family Services and the Salvation Army-Crossroads Youth and Family Services.

‘Young people leaving the child protection system often lack confidence and a strong family support network and are more at risk of issues such as social isolation and unemployment,’ Ms Garbutt said.

‘This mentoring program will give young people leaving care access to positive role models who will help them make the transition to community living and boost their self-esteem.

‘The mentors will help improve the young person’s life skills by giving them support and advice on issues such as budgeting, cooking and accessing employment, education and training opportunities.

‘Most of all, these mentors will be friend and trusted confidant for these young people.’

Once young people are selected for the program, they are either matched directly with a mentor or they can attend group activities where they are able to mix with potential mentors and choose their own.

The program co-ordinator will meet with the young person and mentor and decide on social outings or activities the pair could undertake before a final commitment is made.

Mentors will spend at least three hours a fortnight with their young people.

‘Mentoring is a two-way street and will provide adults with an opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of young people leaving care,’ Ms Garbutt said.

Whitelion Chief Executive Officer Mark Watt said the new program would expand and enhance Whitelion’s established mentoring program.

‘We have a strong record providing mentoring programs for young people in the juvenile justice system and we can use this expertise to help young people leaving care,’ Mr Watt said.

‘Whitelion is urging adults interested in becoming a mentor to contact us and give something back to the community.’

• For more information visit www.whitelion.asn.au.