Grampians Region Adolescent Mentoring Program (Stawell Secondary College)

When were you born?

In 2006 

Who funds you?

Whoever we can obtain funds from. Currently FRRR (Regional Education Project) and Northgate (Stawell Gold Mines) Community Grants Program.

What kind of mentoring program are you?

 One-on-One; Adult community volunteers working with secondary college students

Who are your young people

Stawell secondary school students, both male and female from Years 7, 8 & 9

What do you try to do for your young people?

Develop a friendship, and assist the mentee to set and achieve reasonable goals

Where do you operate?

Primarily within the Stawell Secondary school grounds

How many young people and mentors do you support right now?

16

What’s so exciting about you?

We bring together community members of different generations.

Do you have any partners to help you out? 

The Secondary College provides meeting room facilities; employs the .02EFT coordinator; allows access to administration facilities, and generally supports and encourages the program. The local newspaper is always willing to print articles to provide publicity

What have you learnt from your journey so far?

Funding will always remain an issue and obtaining volunteers seems to becoming increasingly difficult. The spirit of our mentors and the manner in which they support one another never ceases to amaze me.

It takes time for “things” to happen – the relationship needs time to develop; results are rarely immediate. The personal approach to recruiting volunteers is the best approach.

How have you dealt with this challenge?

Continually applying for funding where and whenever it pops up. Being a subscriber to Community Grants, has been good, but too many grants require DGR status. This is a problem for us.

What is the one piece of advice you would give to other programs?

Take your time and plan ahead. Don’t expect immediate results!