Australian Red Cross is looking for volunteers in the Braybrook, Niddrie, East Keilor and Laverton areas to be mentors for young people who are in need of an adult friend. 

The Teen Mentoring Program developed by Australian Red Cross provides weekly, individualised support and activities to secondary school students who could benefit from contact, on a one to one basis, with a significant adult other than their parent or teacher.  Australian Red Cross is holding information sessions during late April and early May for people interested in volunteering or finding out more about the program. 

"I'd encourage anyone who is interested in making a difference in the life of a young person to come along to one of the information sessions," said Arnie Bax, Community Programs Development Coordinator with Australian Red Cross Victoria.

The mentors help secondary school students (Years 7-9) prepare for life beyond school by encouraging communication, reinforcing positive behaviour and increasing self-esteem and confidence

The mentoring sessions take place at the student's school, for an hour each week. The  Volunteer Mentors are requested to commit themselves for one school year in order to ensure continuity of support for the student.  The mentors help students who could benefit from some extra support for a number of reasons.  It may be a young person who is at risk of dropping out of school or an over achieving student who has difficulty relating to his or her peers. 

The mentors may help the student with issues faced in life or just give a student an hour of dedicated attention and conversation that he or she may not get anywhere else.

"This program has been really successful in a number of areas across Victoria, and our volunteers have been surprised at how rewarding the experience has been" said Mr Bax.  "Being a volunteer is a great responsibility and an incredible privilege; it's having the opportunity to make a difference in the life of a young person"

Sale College Principal, Craig Felstead, said the program had provided  invaluable support to your people at the college "Our students have benefited directly from being involved, and there are clear cases of students reconnecting with school, friends and family."

The Teen mentoring programs in Braybrook, Niddrie, East Keilor and Laverton are supported by the Federal  Government Department for Family and Communities.

Information Sessions
Monday 24th April 2006 6.30 - 8pm OR
Thursday 27th April 2006 6.30 - 8pm
At: Australian Red Cross Victoria, 23-47 Villiers Street, North Melbourne

OR
Thursday 4th May 2006 6.30 - 8pm
AT: Laverton Community Centre, 12 Crown Street, Laverton