Big brothers and sisters wanted

A NEW mentoring program is challenging Casey residents to make a difference in young people’s lives by becoming a volunteer mentor.
The YMCA and Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) have started the recruitment drive for volunteers who will provide one-to-one support to young people living in Casey.
Centre manager of the YMCA-operated Casey ARC, Amanda Ashton, said they were very excited by the new initiative that aimed to support young people who had limited adult support.
This is the first time the YMCA and BBBS have joined forces to provide mentoring to young people in Victoria.
The new mentoring service was made possible through a two-year funding grant from The Helen Macpherson Smith Trust.
All going well, the model developed in the City of Casey will continue beyond the initial two-year period and will be replicated throughout the state.
Ms Ashton said the partnership would reap benefits for the community by developing the potential of young people, but they needed people to come forward to be mentors.
All volunteer applicants are thoroughly screened and trained before they are matched to young people.
“Both organisations are aware that young people are doing it tough in Melbourne’s outlying areas. Young people in these areas are more likely to leave school early and have limited employment opportunities in their local communities,” she said.
“This mentoring project is about connecting young people to their local community through the one-to-one support of their mentor.”
Research has shown that mentoring can improve a young person’s family and peer relationships, academic performance and sense of future.
The program utilises adult volunteers who are matched with a young person aged between seven and 17 years of age.
People interested in finding out more about becoming volunteer mentors can attend a short information session to be held at the Casey ARC this Thursday, 23 February at 2pm. Registrations are essential and can be made by contacting Simone or Rocky on 9705 5000.