By BRIDGET COOK
TRY Mentoring is putting the call out for more recruits to help make a positive impact to the lives of disadvantaged young people across Casey and Cardinia.
The charity organisation runs a number of youth mentoring programs in the region aimed at helping young people to reach their potential by matching them with a positive adult role model.
Many of the young people referred to the program have faced a range of challenges including being socially isolated, witnessed domestic violence, adopted risky or negative behavior and have low self-esteem or depression.
The organisation’s main program is One-to-One Mentoring, where a volunteer adult commits to meeting up with their young person most weeks for at least 12 months and taking part in a range of activities, whether it be cooking, going for a walk, visiting the circus or going to the football.
Mentoring co-ordinator Nicky Breese said there is always a huge demand for volunteers in the Casey and Cardinia region and urged people to consider becoming a mentor.
“We match a volunteer to a young person based on location, skill set, interests and personality, so no volunteer will be matched with just any young person,” she said.
“Volunteering is a rewarding experience.
“You get to be a friend, support and role model to a young person who really needs it.
“A volunteer is a valuable person in a young person’s life, with the aim to be a friend beyond the 12 month minimum.”
Ms Breese said the program was just as rewarding for the mentors as it was for the young people involved.
“Volunteers can be a person who can give a young person time out away from stresses in their life, new experiences that many can take for granted and simply someone they can have fun with,” she said.
“Not only is it beneficial for the young person but it can allow the volunteer to take time out from their life, be selfless and simply just be a big kid.
“Choosing to volunteer with TRY Mentoring, the volunteer can be assured that they will get the right support and training prior to being matched to a young person, as well as ongoing support and supervision throughout their time with the program.”
TRY Mentoring is holding an information session in Casey next month where potential volunteers can find out about the range of youth mentoring programs and how to become involved.
The event will be held on Wednesday 1 October at Narre Warren Youth Information Centre, 52 Webb Street, Narre Warren, at 7pm.
To register an interest visit www.trybooking.com/FVSH or phone 8545 9504 for more information.
