How old are you?
I’m a year and a half old, and my second group of young people has just commenced the program. 

Who funds you?
I am funded by the Dept of Planning and Community Development, with auspice and funding from Strathbogie Shire Council. 

What kind of mentoring program are you?
I offer one to one, adult to young person mentoring, although at times I have to be flexible.  When there are language difficulties, or a chaperone is required for cultural reasons, for example, other people are brought in to assist. 

What do you try to do for your young people?
My name really says it all.  My primary purpose is to empower young people with a disability to make real links into their local communities, with regard to education, employment and getting involved in community activities

Who are your young people?
 I cater for young people aged 1525 who have a disability (this includes physical, intellectual, and sensory disabilities, mental health conditions, ongoing medical conditions, learning difficulties and literacy difficulties), and who are at risk of disengagement. There are many young people out there who ‘fall through the cracks”.  They don’t want to access disability specific services, but need a bit of support to access generic programs. 

Where do you operate?
I operate in the Strathbogie Shire and Greater Shepparton local government areas – this includes towns like Euroa, Violet Town, Nagambie, Avenel, Shepparton, Mooroopna and Tatura and their surrounding areas.  I include young people who are attending educational facilities in these areas, but may live in outlying areas. 

How many young people and mentors do you support right now?
Thirteen young people and fourteen mentors have commenced, or are about to commence, their sessions this year (one young person is working with two mentors). 

What’s so exciting about you?
The most exciting thing is seeing young people emerge from the constraints of ‘disability’, focus on their abilities, and start to see themselves as individuals with a lot to offer, and gain from, their local communities.  The growth in confidence in each young person is wonderful to witness. 

Do you have any partners to help you out?
I use material adapted from the Willing and Able Mentoring (WAM) program.  Dr Kevin Murfitt, co-ordinator, acts as my consultant, and is part of my Steering Committee. 
Tapping into WAM resources, knowledge and expertise has been extremely valuable. 

Because I operate in the Shepparton area, I asked for permission to use the Greater Shepparton logo on my promotional material.  This has led to the program being promoted through Greater Shepparton City Council networks, and three of my mentors this year are employees of that local government office.  A new program, similar to me, has commenced in the neighbourhood renewal area in Shepparton.  I’ve been able to provide resources and support to assist get this off the ground. 

I have also developed strong working relationships with a local high school, a special school, and an outreach support service for young people living independently.  Referrals come from these organisations, and the staff liaises with mentors and support young people to keep their mentoring appointments. 

What have you learnt from your journey so far? –
1) Be flexible; the needs of young people with a disability, and disengaged youth, are complex.  Sometimes someone just needs to be ‘given a break’.
2) Give lots of support to make the meetings happen in the initial stages; once a young person feels comfortable and can see what the program has to offer, they will become more motivated to continue. 
3) Be enthusiastic!  It’s amazing how enthusiasm about the program becomes infectious.
4) Never underestimate the abilities of a young person with a disability.  Everyone has the capacity to shine in something. 

What has been your biggest challenge?
Setting up meetings with young people who have recently disengaged from school. 

What’s the best thing you’ve done so far?
One young woman had disengaged from almost everything due to long term medical conditions.  Since participating in the mentoring program, she began volunteering at the local rural cinema.  She is now screening movies, looking after the bookwork and finances, and is managing the other volunteers.  Her confidence has grown to the point that she has been a public speaker at youth mentoring events on a number of occasions.   She is a great advocate for “Making Links” and youth mentoring in general. 

What is the one piece of advice would you give to other programs?
Go for it!  Often people with a disability have few meaningful relationships with people other than their family.  Connecting with a mentor can open up a whole world of possibilities to young people.