Mentoring Programs
What is mentoring?
Mentoring programs aim to provide a structured and trusting relationship that brings people together with caring individuals who offer guidance, support and encouragement.
(Adapted from Mentor/National Mentoring Partnership and Robyn Hartley's "Young people and mentoring: towards a national strategy" 2004 Report)
What can mentoring help the young person to achieve?
Depending on the type of program, mentoring can help young people to achieve anything from finding a career, better grades at school, experiencing new social activities and learning essential skills for life. The mentor can be someone who helps the young person find work experience or if they are a business mentor they can help the young person to learn more about the organisation and professional resources needed to succeed in that area. The mentor is someone to talk to, someone who will listen and not judge.
Good mentoring programs
A responsible mentoring program requires:
- A well-defined mission statement and established operating principles
- Regular, consistent contact between mentor and mentee
- Establishment under the auspices of a recognised organisation
- Paid or volunteer staff with appropriate skills
- Written role statements for all staff and volunteer positions
- Adherence to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) requirements
- Inclusiveness in relation to ethnicity, culture, socio-economic background, gender and sexuality as appropriate to the program
- Adequate ongoing financial and in-kind resources
- Written administrative and program procedures
- Documented criteria which define eligibility for participation in the program
- Program evaluation and ongoing assessment
- A program plan that has input from stakeholders
- Risk management and confidentiality policies
- Use of generally accepted accounting practices
- A rationale for staffing arrangements based on the needs of all parties
What activities take place during the mentoring sessions?
Depending on the type of program all sorts of activities can take place during mentoring sessions such as researching careers on the internet, visiting work sites, playing sports, going to the movies, museums, and parks. Work on a community project together like planting the local community garden, building furniture at the local community shed or just sitting and talking to one another.
How long is the program?
Most programs have a minimum commitment that they ask all young people to adhere to. This could be anything from 12 weeks (the length of a school term) up to 1 year. In some programs if the young person and mentor enjoy working together there is no end to how long the program can run. In some organisations longer relationships are encouraged.
How is a mentor allocated?
Every program matches mentors and young people differently but the common ways include matching a pair based on their interests and likes or on their religious or cultural backgrounds. This is achieved by comparing the comments each person has written on their application form. Other programs have welcome days. On these days a group of mentors and young people get together to play games, have a barbeque or work on activity sheets together. At the end of the day both groups nominate who they got along with best and are matched according to their preferences.
What if the young person doesn’t get along with the mentor?
The matching process is a very careful process and the likelihood of a bad match is quite small but in the event that the young person doesn’t get along with the mentor the program staff must be notified. If the program is based at school you tell the teacher but if it is a community program then call the program staff. The staff or teacher may want to talk to the young person about this and see if the two people can work things out. If this is not possible the young person may be re-matched with another mentor if there are spare volunteers.
Is the mentor bound by confidentiality?
What is told to the mentor will remain confidential unless the young person or someone else is at risk of being harmed. Then the mentor must tell someone else in a position of authority. (Usually the program staff).
How can a young person join a mentoring program?
A variety of mentoring programs are listed below. Click on the links to find a program in your local area.
Bayside Youth Mentoring Program
VIC Type of Program: One to One, Group
Location: South Melborune
The aim of the program is to prevent at risk young people in the community from becoming high risk by linking them to trained and accredited adult mentors. The BYM program can assist young people who are:
· Aged 10-21 years of age.
· Reside within, or have links to City of Bayside. [ more info... ]
Berry Street Gippsland Mentoring Programs
VIC Type of Program: One to One, Group
Location: Morwell
Gippsland Berry Street Mentoring programs offers young people an opportunity to develop a one-to-one relationship with a more experienced adult from the local community. Young people are able to benefit from their mentor's life experiences and obtain support to achieve their personal and educational goals. We support young people in three specific areas: Pathways development; Personal development and Social development. [ more info... ]
Beyond all Expectations
VIC Type of Program: One to One, Group, Peer
Location: Emerald
A mentoring program to reconnect disconnected and at-risk young people (14-17) with their community, school, further education and training and employment. This program builds resilience, self-awareness, accredited skills and knowledge in preparation for work and the world "Beyond" school with experiences in the real workplace environment. [ more info... ]
Big Brothers Big Sisters (Highlands)
VIC Type of Program: One to One
Location: Ballarat
Big Brothers Big Sisters is a prevention focused program that reduces social isolation and improves self-esteem for young people. Mentoring enables young people to reach their potential through the development of a trusting friendship with an adult mentor. Big Brothers Big Sisters is committed to quality long-term mentoring with measurable impact for young people and their families. [ more info... ]
Big Brothers Big Sisters Geelong
VIC Type of Program: One to One
Location: Geelong West
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF GEELONG Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Geelong is a community based mentoring program which provides young people, who are in need of additional support and friendship, with a caring adult mentor and positive role model. The program is of greatest assistance to young people aged 12-18 years from the Geelong region who are in need of additional adult support and may be disengaged from education or training. [ more info... ]
Big Brothers Big Sisters Melbourne
VIC Type of Program: One to One
Location: Flemington
Big Brothers Big Sisters is a prevention focused program that reduces social isolation and and improves self-esteem for young people. Mentoring enables young people to reach their potential through the development of a trusting friendship with an adult mentor. Big Brothers Big Sisters is committed to quality long-term mentoring with measurable impact for young people and their families. [ more info... ]
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Outer South East Melbourne
VIC Type of Program: One to One
Location: Hallam
A Unique Youth Mentoring Program that provides young people aged 7 to 25 years in the City of Casey with a caring adult mentor in their lives, someone to confide in and look up to. The Program is based on the simplicity and power of friendship. It matches vulnerable young people with a adult volunteer mentor who can be both a role model and a supportive friend. [ more info... ]
Building Relationships & Initiating Change (BRIC)
VIC Type of Program: Group
Location: Carlton
Building Relationships and Initiating Change (BRIC) is an exciting group mentoring initiative coordinated by the Centre for Multicultural Youth, with funding from the Office for Youth for three years (2009-2011). It aims to support groups of young people from newly arrived and culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) communities seeking to establish their own youth groups and/or youth-led initiatives. It provides them with mentoring for one year to support their skill and knowledge development to achieve identified goals for their youth group and/or youth-led initiative. [ more info... ]
Bushfire Gift Mentoring program
VIC Type of Program: One to One, Group
Location: Morwell
The Bushfire Gift mentoring program links young people from bushfire affected communities in West Gippsland and Latrobe regions to community volunteer mentors. Mentees benefit from their mentor's life experiences and obtain support to achieve their personal and educational goals. Gippsland Berry Street mentoring programs offer young people an opportunity to develop a one-to-one relationship and social skills with a more experienced adult from the local community or participate in group activities with peers and mentors. [ more info... ]
Care Africa Youth Mentoring Program
VIC Type of Program: One to One, Peer
Location: Dandenong
Care Africa Youth Mentoring Program provide the opportunities to reconnect African - Australian youth in Melbourne back to their communities, schools, employment and further studies; and create hope for the future, good employment prospects, educational opportunities for African-Australian youth in Melbourne. [ more info... ]
Chances for Children
VIC Type of Program: One to One
Location: MILDURA
One on one mentoring support to tertiary students from the Mallee studying away from home. [ more info... ]
Connect Mentor Program
VIC Type of Program: One to One
Location: West Melbourne
Connect is a mentor program developed by the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre that matches volunteers with asylum seekers. The aim is to develop and maintain long-term relationships through one-on-one mentoring in order to combat social isolation, depression, and feelings of loneliness in asylum seekers. Through sharing activities such as a walk in the park, attending free public events, playing soccer, going for a coffee etc mentors will be assisting asylum seekers in the development of a better cultural understanding and consequently with their effective adjustment into the community. [ more info... ]
CSOAR
VIC Type of Program: One to One
Location: Charlton
CSOAR (Community Support, Opportunity and Relationships) aims to create connections with our young people and the community by matching a student with a responsible adult mentor. Its purpose is to challenge our local youth to recognise personal, social and vocational opportunities. [ more info... ]
VIC Type of Program: One to One, Group
Location: Melbourne
elev8 is an interpersonal mentoring program for secondary students that develops well-being, self-worth, leadership and purpose based on Christian values. The curriculum covers physical, academic, social and spiritual aspects leading to the achievement of the Queen's Badge, presented by the state governor. [ more info... ]
Embrace Education
VIC Type of Program: One to One, Group, Peer
Location: Monash University
Embrace Education's Volunteer Tutoring Program seeks to provide educational assistance to disadvantaged high school students, particularly those from refugee and recent migrant backgrounds. Free tutoring is can be delivered in one of three settings: 1) Individual Tutoring - one-on-one tutoring conducted at a public library; 2) Homework Clubs - group sessions held after school at various partner schools, allowing students to drop in when they require educational assistance. Numerous tutors with different educational backgrounds will attend each club and help students as needed; 3) In-School Tutoring - tutors will work with teachers to assist students who are struggling, during class time. [ more info... ]
G-Force Warrnambool Kickstart Mentoring Initiative Program
VIC Type of Program: One to One, E-Mentoring
Location: Warrnambool
G-Force Warrnambool, consisting of WestVic Staffing Solutions and Western District Employment Agency, provide a mentoring service for apprentices registered under the Kickstart Initiative in South West Victoria. The aim is to improve Australian Apprenticeship retention rates in skill shortage areas. The program also targets individuals who may face additional barriers to participation, and help support them through their first year of training. [ more info... ]
Get Reel - Ballarat
VIC Type of Program: Group, Peer
Location: Ballarat
Get Reel supplies youth with an outlet to create visual media in the form of film and also provides them with skills such as film editing and direction. The program allows young people to use creative means to express their stories and views. With Get Reel, there is always an idea or two brewing; or you can contribute you own ideas!. [ more info... ]
Gippsland East Youth Mentoring Program
VIC Type of Program: One to One
Location: Bairnsdale
The Gippsland East Youth Mentoring Program is about engaging young people at the secondary school level who are at risk of leaving school early. We provide mentors on a one on one basis who will became a friend to a young person to help them with career choices, further education and to enjoy other fun activities like crafts, sports and life experiences. Once a friendship is formed the student and mentor can continue to work together to work through and overcome life's challenges. [ more info... ]
iTrack - Online Mentoring Program (Victoria)
VIC Type of Program: One to One, E-Mentoring
Location: Collingwood
iTrack is an online, school based mentoring program. The high school students who participate are in a transition phase and need guidance with their post school plans. The program runs for different school years from year 9 to 12 in different states. [ more info... ]
Jindi Woraback Youth Mentoring Program
VIC Type of Program: One to One, Group
Location: Lilydale
The Jindi Woraback youth mentoring program is for young people aged 12-25 years of age who are in need of support and friendship. Jindi Woraback means to join and unite from the Wurundjeri people in the Yarra Valley. Our mentroing program is based on having fun, sharing interests and recreational activities. [ more info... ]
Kalay Wartee Indigenous Mentoring Program
VIC Type of Program: One to One
Location: Warrnambool
The Kalay Wartee Indigenous Mentoring Program aims to: - Support: link young people to trained indigenous and non-indigenous mentors from the community and support the development of their relationship - Connect: Make connections between young people & their families, their culture and their communities to develop greater confidence & self esteem - Build: Through positive mentoring relationships, help young people to make better decisions and more positive choices to achieve their goals and aspirations - Promote: Promote an understanding of indigenous culture by young people and the broader community. [ more info... ]
KIDS HOPE AUS
VIC Type of Program: One to One
Location: Burwood East
KIDS HOPE AUS is an early intervention mentoring program operational in primary schools across Australia. KIDS HOPE AUS mentors help to develop social and emotional resilience in mentored children, thereby enhancing their ability to learn. The program is built on a community partnership model where a local church agrees to partner a local primary school to deliver the mentoring program. [ more info... ]
KIDS HOPE AUS.
VIC Type of Program: One to One
Location: Burwood East
A partnership program between a sponsoring local church congregation and a government primary school. 10-15 mentors mobilized into the school and matched one to one with a child referred by teaching staff. The mentoring hour is spent doing some academic work, some creative activity, some sport or game, some educational puzzle or activity. [ more info... ]
Kildonan's Youth Mentor Program
VIC Type of Program: One to One
Location: Epping
The program provides support to young people who are defined as at-risk or high-risk by providing the young person the opportunity to develop a trusting relationship with a positive adult role model.
The terms at-risk and high-risk refer to circumstances the young person may be living under or to their specific behaviours. Young people involved in the program are likely to have suffered severe abuse, and may live in out of home care such as a community residential unit. [ more info... ]
Location: South Melborune
The aim of the program is to prevent at risk young people in the community from becoming high risk by linking them to trained and accredited adult mentors. The BYM program can assist young people who are:
Location: Morwell
Gippsland Berry Street Mentoring programs offers young people an opportunity to develop a one-to-one relationship with a more experienced adult from the local community. Young people are able to benefit from their mentor's life experiences and obtain support to achieve their personal and educational goals. We support young people in three specific areas: Pathways development; Personal development and Social development. [ more info... ]
Location: Emerald
A mentoring program to reconnect disconnected and at-risk young people (14-17) with their community, school, further education and training and employment. This program builds resilience, self-awareness, accredited skills and knowledge in preparation for work and the world "Beyond" school with experiences in the real workplace environment. [ more info... ]
Location: Ballarat
Big Brothers Big Sisters is a prevention focused program that reduces social isolation and improves self-esteem for young people. Mentoring enables young people to reach their potential through the development of a trusting friendship with an adult mentor. Big Brothers Big Sisters is committed to quality long-term mentoring with measurable impact for young people and their families. [ more info... ]
Location: Geelong West
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF GEELONG Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Geelong is a community based mentoring program which provides young people, who are in need of additional support and friendship, with a caring adult mentor and positive role model. The program is of greatest assistance to young people aged 12-18 years from the Geelong region who are in need of additional adult support and may be disengaged from education or training. [ more info... ]
Location: Flemington
Big Brothers Big Sisters is a prevention focused program that reduces social isolation and and improves self-esteem for young people. Mentoring enables young people to reach their potential through the development of a trusting friendship with an adult mentor. Big Brothers Big Sisters is committed to quality long-term mentoring with measurable impact for young people and their families. [ more info... ]
Location: Hallam
A Unique Youth Mentoring Program that provides young people aged 7 to 25 years in the City of Casey with a caring adult mentor in their lives, someone to confide in and look up to. The Program is based on the simplicity and power of friendship. It matches vulnerable young people with a adult volunteer mentor who can be both a role model and a supportive friend. [ more info... ]
Location: Carlton
Building Relationships and Initiating Change (BRIC) is an exciting group mentoring initiative coordinated by the Centre for Multicultural Youth, with funding from the Office for Youth for three years (2009-2011). It aims to support groups of young people from newly arrived and culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) communities seeking to establish their own youth groups and/or youth-led initiatives. It provides them with mentoring for one year to support their skill and knowledge development to achieve identified goals for their youth group and/or youth-led initiative. [ more info... ]
Location: Morwell
The Bushfire Gift mentoring program links young people from bushfire affected communities in West Gippsland and Latrobe regions to community volunteer mentors. Mentees benefit from their mentor's life experiences and obtain support to achieve their personal and educational goals. Gippsland Berry Street mentoring programs offer young people an opportunity to develop a one-to-one relationship and social skills with a more experienced adult from the local community or participate in group activities with peers and mentors. [ more info... ]
Location: Dandenong
Care Africa Youth Mentoring Program provide the opportunities to reconnect African - Australian youth in Melbourne back to their communities, schools, employment and further studies; and create hope for the future, good employment prospects, educational opportunities for African-Australian youth in Melbourne. [ more info... ]
Location: MILDURA
One on one mentoring support to tertiary students from the Mallee studying away from home. [ more info... ]
Location: West Melbourne
Connect is a mentor program developed by the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre that matches volunteers with asylum seekers. The aim is to develop and maintain long-term relationships through one-on-one mentoring in order to combat social isolation, depression, and feelings of loneliness in asylum seekers. Through sharing activities such as a walk in the park, attending free public events, playing soccer, going for a coffee etc mentors will be assisting asylum seekers in the development of a better cultural understanding and consequently with their effective adjustment into the community. [ more info... ]
Location: Charlton
CSOAR (Community Support, Opportunity and Relationships) aims to create connections with our young people and the community by matching a student with a responsible adult mentor. Its purpose is to challenge our local youth to recognise personal, social and vocational opportunities. [ more info... ]
Location: Melbourne
elev8 is an interpersonal mentoring program for secondary students that develops well-being, self-worth, leadership and purpose based on Christian values. The curriculum covers physical, academic, social and spiritual aspects leading to the achievement of the Queen's Badge, presented by the state governor. [ more info... ]
Location: Monash University
Embrace Education's Volunteer Tutoring Program seeks to provide educational assistance to disadvantaged high school students, particularly those from refugee and recent migrant backgrounds. Free tutoring is can be delivered in one of three settings: 1) Individual Tutoring - one-on-one tutoring conducted at a public library; 2) Homework Clubs - group sessions held after school at various partner schools, allowing students to drop in when they require educational assistance. Numerous tutors with different educational backgrounds will attend each club and help students as needed; 3) In-School Tutoring - tutors will work with teachers to assist students who are struggling, during class time. [ more info... ]
Location: Warrnambool
G-Force Warrnambool, consisting of WestVic Staffing Solutions and Western District Employment Agency, provide a mentoring service for apprentices registered under the Kickstart Initiative in South West Victoria. The aim is to improve Australian Apprenticeship retention rates in skill shortage areas. The program also targets individuals who may face additional barriers to participation, and help support them through their first year of training. [ more info... ]
Location: Ballarat
Get Reel supplies youth with an outlet to create visual media in the form of film and also provides them with skills such as film editing and direction. The program allows young people to use creative means to express their stories and views. With Get Reel, there is always an idea or two brewing; or you can contribute you own ideas!. [ more info... ]
Location: Bairnsdale
The Gippsland East Youth Mentoring Program is about engaging young people at the secondary school level who are at risk of leaving school early. We provide mentors on a one on one basis who will became a friend to a young person to help them with career choices, further education and to enjoy other fun activities like crafts, sports and life experiences. Once a friendship is formed the student and mentor can continue to work together to work through and overcome life's challenges. [ more info... ]
Location: Collingwood
iTrack is an online, school based mentoring program. The high school students who participate are in a transition phase and need guidance with their post school plans. The program runs for different school years from year 9 to 12 in different states. [ more info... ]
Location: Lilydale
The Jindi Woraback youth mentoring program is for young people aged 12-25 years of age who are in need of support and friendship. Jindi Woraback means to join and unite from the Wurundjeri people in the Yarra Valley. Our mentroing program is based on having fun, sharing interests and recreational activities. [ more info... ]
Location: Warrnambool
The Kalay Wartee Indigenous Mentoring Program aims to: - Support: link young people to trained indigenous and non-indigenous mentors from the community and support the development of their relationship - Connect: Make connections between young people & their families, their culture and their communities to develop greater confidence & self esteem - Build: Through positive mentoring relationships, help young people to make better decisions and more positive choices to achieve their goals and aspirations - Promote: Promote an understanding of indigenous culture by young people and the broader community. [ more info... ]
Location: Burwood East
KIDS HOPE AUS is an early intervention mentoring program operational in primary schools across Australia. KIDS HOPE AUS mentors help to develop social and emotional resilience in mentored children, thereby enhancing their ability to learn. The program is built on a community partnership model where a local church agrees to partner a local primary school to deliver the mentoring program. [ more info... ]
Location: Burwood East
A partnership program between a sponsoring local church congregation and a government primary school. 10-15 mentors mobilized into the school and matched one to one with a child referred by teaching staff. The mentoring hour is spent doing some academic work, some creative activity, some sport or game, some educational puzzle or activity. [ more info... ]
Location: Epping
The program provides support to young people who are defined as at-risk or high-risk by providing the young person the opportunity to develop a trusting relationship with a positive adult role model.
Kokoda Youth Mentoring Program
VIC Type of Program: One to One, Group
Location: Mildura
The Kokoda Youth Mentoring Program is a twelve month program designed to provide local disengaged youth 14-18 years with an opportunity to connect themselves with mainstream society. This will be achieved by providing mentoring and support from members of local businesses and the welfare community in a structured program. The mentor will be trained in their role to ensure that maximum beneficial results are achieved for the young people. [ more info... ]
L2P (Geelong)
VIC Type of Program: One to One
Location: Geelong
The L2P program aims to provide the opportunity for young people who face a significant barrier (economic, social or other) to successfully obtaining their licence to do so with the support of a skilled local mentor. L2P is a community based volunteer program designed to provide access to driving practice on public roads for learner drivers under the supervision of a fully licenced driver. This is undertaken in a program provided vehicle. [ more info... ]
L2P - Learner Driver Mentor Program (Brimbank)
VIC Type of Program: One to One
Location: Sunshine
In July 2008, the Victorian Government introduced road safety initiatives that saw a requirement for learner drivers to obtain 120 hours mandatory driving practice prior to obtaining their provisional licence. This move was based on research proving that 120 hours of driving practice in a number of different driving conditions can significantly reduce the likelihood of crash involvement for young drivers. While the introduction of the new regulations for learner drivers will have significant beneficial effects on the safety of young Victorians, it is recognised that it will be challenging for some young people who do not have easy access to suitable supervising drivers, a suitable vehicle, or both to obtain the mandatory on road driving experience. [ more info... ]
L2P and Leaving Care Mentoring Programs - Wodonga-Indigo
VIC Type of Program: One to One
Location: Wodonga
L2P Program: L2P is a community based volunteer based program designed to provide young learner drivers who face significant barriers to obtaining their Probationary License with the oppotunity to access driving practise under the supervision of a fully licensed volunteer driver. Such barriers may include not having access to a supervising driver or a vehicle, and not being able to afford professional driving lessons. Leaving Care Mentoring Program: The Central Hume Support Services Mentoring Program helps to empower youth in our community to maximise their potential. [ more info... ]
L2P Learner Driver Mentor Program (Cobram)
VIC Type of Program: One to One
Location: Cobram
Moira Shire Council L2P Learner Driver Mentor Program The L2P Learner Driver Mentor Program supports young people in the community who may be at a disadvantage and unable to attain the 120 hours of supervised driving experience required to gain their probationary licence. This community-based program provides young people who fit the selection criteria with a fully trained local volunteer mentor who assists the young participant with driving supervision in the L2P community car, which was kindly donated by Cobram Community Enterprise Inc. [ more info... ]
L2P Learner Driver Mentor Program - Ballarat
VIC Type of Program: One to One
Location: Ballarat
The L2P Learner Driver Mentor Program aims to provide the opportunity for young people who face a significant barrier (economic, social or other) to successfully obtaining their licence to do so with the support of a skilled local mentor. The L2P program is a community-based volunteer program designed to provide access to driving practice on public roads for learner drivers under the supervision of a fully licensed driver. This is undertaken in a car provided by the program. [ more info... ]
L2P Learner Driver Mentor Program - Moreland
VIC Type of Program: One to One
Location: COBURG
The Moreland L2P Program aims to assist learner drivers (16 - 21 years) who do not have access to significant adults or a suitable motor vehcile to gain the minimum 120 hours driving experience as prescribed under the Victorian Graduated System (GLS). Learner Drivers also have access to 7 professional driving lessons as part of the program. A referral process determines the eligibility criteria for Learner Drivers and a screening process for Volunteer Mentors to participate in the program. [ more info... ]
L2P Learner Driver Mentor Program - South Gippsland
VIC Type of Program: One to One
Location: Leongatha
The L2P program is underpinned by both road safety and social equity objectives: Road Safety: to reduce the crash and injury rate of young drivers by ensuring they obtain a minimum of 120 hours supervised driving practice Social Equity: to provide opportunities for all young Victorians to be safer licenced drivers, without being disadvantaged by barriers to obtaining on road driving experience The program aims to overcome the challenges faced by disadvantaged young people by matching trained community volunteers with young learner drivers who would otherwise have difficulty getting enough supervised on road driving practice during their learning period. The program involves a team consisting of the young learner driver and a community volunteer utilising a program vehicle to undertake supervised driving sessions, in much the same way as parents/carers would work with their children, to achieve the required number of hours of on-road driving experience. The driving is undertaken in stages with graduation through each stage being supported by lessons with a professional driving instructor. [ more info... ]
L2P Learner Driver Mentor Program - Yarra
VIC Type of Program: One to One
Location: Collingwood
Volunteer learner driver mentors with our L2P program spend 1+ hours each week helping young people get the driving experience they need. We provide training, insurance, a safe vehicle and ongoing support. Women and men from all cultural backgrounds are encouraged to get involved. [ more info... ]
L2P-Learner Driver Mentor Program (Hume Whittlesea)
VIC Type of Program: One to One
Location: Broadmeadows
The L2P Learner Driver Mentor Program is a state wide initiative funded by the state government and managed by VicRoads. The program aims to provide assistance to disadvantaged young people facing significant barriers to complete their mandatory 120 hours of on road driving experience through the support of volunteer mentors from the community. The Hume L2PLearner Driver Mentor Program has been created to meet critical community need within the municipality of Hume by supporting unlicensed, untrained and unsupervised young drivers presenting on our roads who pose a risk for themselves and the community. [ more info... ]
LARF (Lifeskills, Activities, Recreation, Friendship & Fun) Mentoring Program
VIC Type of Program: One to One, Group, Team, Peer
Location: Ballarat
LARF aims to provide children with opportunities to develop resiliency and positive life skills through access to mainstream recreational and leisure activities. The program supports the concept that early intervention is the best prevention. The LARF Program involves the matching of children, who are in grade 1 through to year 8, with a fully trained volunteer mentor. [ more info... ]
Latrobe Community L2P Drivers Education Program
VIC Type of Program: One to One, Group
Location: Morwell
The Latrobe Community L2P Driver Education Program is open to young people aged 16 to 20 years who reside in the Latrobe municipality and who do not have access to the support and resources necessary to achieve the 120 hours of driving experience required for obtaining their probationary drivers licence. The program aims to:
1. Assist disadvantaged young people to get the support they need to get their licence. [ more info... ]
Leaving Care Mentor Program
VIC Type of Program: One to One
Location: Moorabbin
The aim of the mentoring program is to promote purposeful, voluntary, relationships in which mentors assist young people leaving state care to develop a positive sense of self and connections with their community. Mentors engage in regular recreational activities with individual young people to facilitate the development of an enduring, constructive relationship. This reduces the isolation many young people experience following institutional living and instils hope for a positive future and active engagement in the community. [ more info... ]
Leaving Care Mentoring
VIC Type of Program: One to One
Location: Parkville
Whitelion provides the Leaving Care Mentoring Initiative for young people in the North West Metropolitan and Barwon regions in partnership with MacKillop Family Services and The Salvation Army Crossroads. In Bendigo the program runs in partnership with St Lukes, and in Gippsland the program runs in partnership with Berry Street Victoria. The program works with young people from 16 years of age who are preparing to or who have left State care. [ more info... ]
Leaving Care Mentoring Program - Brosnan Youth Services
VIC Type of Program: One to One
Location: Dandenong
The Leaving Care Mentoring program is aimed at providing extended community support to Child Protection young people who reside in residential or home based care who are soon to be transitioning into independent living. This is done through matching volunteers from the community who have been trained in mentoring, with one of our young people for 12 to 18 months. With the aim that the mentor and young person develop such a relationship that it will continue post the program and to the mentor can be a consistent and stable role model in their lives. [ more info... ]
Links for Life
VIC Type of Program: One to One
Location: charlton
Links for Life provides meaningful mentoring in the communities of Wedderburn and Wycheproof, in North Central Victoria. Trained mentors who are postive role models provide support for a young person who is finishing their final years of school or transitioning from school to work. Mentors meet with the young person two hours a fortnight, enjoy pursuing similar interests and encourage them to look at different career/employment/further education options. [ more info... ]
Linkz
VIC Type of Program: One to One
Location: Emerald
Linkz is aimed at supporting and encouraging young teenagers through transition into secondary school with the aid of a mentor who meets regularly with the participant over the year. Participants develop a project together with the mentor and this is presented at a graduation ceremony. Mentors are volunteers from the local community with time and expertise to develop a positive relationship with a young teenager. [ more info... ]
Log_on - Ballarat
VIC Type of Program: One to One, Group
Location: Ballarat
Log_on was developed to provide ongoing opportunities for young people who had an interest in ICT. In providing regular and real life projects we feel young people get a better opportunity to develop real skills and gain confidence in their ability to make meaningful connection with business and the community.
Log_on is giving young people the opportunity to work alongside Industry Mentors to develop the skills required to build a professional quality website. [ more info... ]
Loop - Ballarat and Beaufort
VIC Type of Program: Group, Peer
Location: Ballarat
Loop is a program which provides young people with valuable experience in journalism, editing, pictorial aspects of newspaper production, creative writing, graphic design and photography. The Loop team work on their own website facilitating online publishing, peer reviews, blogs, news and views. The team also work on a variety of publications each year and have the opportunity to contribute to many different writing sources in the community. [ more info... ]
LYPET (Linking Young People to Employment and Training)
VIC Type of Program: One to One
Location: Bundoora
The Linking of Young people into Employment and Training is an innovative project that aims to develop models for working with young people who are currently not involved in education employment and training and who are 'at risk' of becoming early school leavers. The objectives of the program are to provide an opportunity for disengaged young people to be linked with a trained community mentor who will assist them to become work ready and connected to their community. [ more info... ]
Making Links Mentoring Program
VIC Type of Program: One to One
Location: Euroa
Making Links assists young people (15-25 years) from Strathbogie Shire and Greater Shepparton, who have a disability, to explore options for work, further education and community participation. Disabilities can be of ANY kind (learning difficulties, ongoing medical conditions, mental health conditions or intellectual, physical, sensory and neurological disabilities). No formal disability assessment is necessary. [ more info... ]
Making Links Mentoring Program - Shepparton
VIC Type of Program: One to One
Location: Shepparton
Making Links assists young people (15-25 years) from Strathbogie Shire and Greater Shepparton, who have a disability, to explore options for work, further education and community participation. Disabilities can be of ANY kind (learning difficulties, ongoing medical conditions, mental health conditions or intellectual, physical, sensory and neurological disabilities). No formal disability assessment is necessary. [ more info... ]
Mallee Family Care Youth E-Mentoring Program
VIC Type of Program: E-Mentoring
Location: Mildura
The Mallee Family Care Youth E-Mentoring Program matches adult mentors who are in the workforce with students 13-16yrs who are, have been or maybe in the future, at risk of disengaging from school. The E-Mentoring program will give students the support and encouragement to continue their education, look to further study and/or training, or give them practical advice and knowledge on how to achieve their career goals. [ more info... ]
MATES
VIC Type of Program: One to One
Location: Horsham
MATES is a Mentoring Program which has been designed as a model which is easy and effective for all schools to implement at very little cost. MATES matches students (Mentees) in school with a volunteer (Mentor) from the local community. In a changing world schools can't do it alone. [ more info... ]
Melton Youth Mentoring Project
VIC Type of Program: One to One
Location: Melton
The Melton Youth Mentoring Project provides disconnected and vulnerable young people between the ages of 12 and 18 with an adult mentor to share recreational activities, fun and friendship. The program aims to develop the self-confidence and resilience of socially isolated young people; to expand their educational and vocational possibilities; and to strengthen their connection to family and community. [ more info... ]
Mentoring In the Community - Bright P-12 College & The BUMS (The Bright United Mens Shed)
VIC Type of Program: One to One
Location: Wodonga
A community based mentoring project in partnership between the Bright P-12 College, The BUMS (The Bright United Men's Shed), Alpine Health and the Bright Community. [ more info... ]
MOIRA Post Care Mentor Program
VIC Type of Program: One to One
Location: Moorabbin
The aim of the MOIRA Mentor Program is to offer high risk adolescents whom are in, or have been in, state care the opportunity to have a supportive, caring, non-judgemental relationship with a mentor, who will be a positive role model and offer guidance, friendship and support to the young person whilst they are in the process of transitioning from care to independence. [ more info... ]
Northern Mentoring Support Program
VIC Type of Program: One to One, Group
Location: Reservoir
The Northern Mentoring Support Program is a joint initiative between The Salvation Army Preston & Plenty Valley Corps and Crossroads Youth and Family Services to help refugees and migrants through mentoring. The program will recruit up to 30 mentors who will work with a refugee or migrant one to one to support them in varieties of issues, example support may include: Literacy and English language education, mentoring, advocacy, building life-management skills, parenting support, Job search skills, housing skills & driver training. [ more info... ]
Parents Mentoring Project
VIC Type of Program: One to One
Location: SOUTH YARRA
The Parents Mentoring Project (PMP) is founded upon the value and strength of having a trusted guide. We all need extra support and advice with parenting; parenting while also coping with a mental illness brings its own set of challenges. Having a mentor who listens and fosters a caring and supporting relationship shows the mentee that they’re not the only one - that what they’re experiencing is normal and that they are good parents. [ more info... ]
Right Click Records
VIC Type of Program: Group, Team
Location: Ballarat
Right Click Records is an independent youth run record company comprised of budding young artists, entrepreneurs, engineers and technicians. We provide young people with invaluable opportunities to gain experience in the music industry while working to expand Ballarat's music scene. As an initiative of Lead On Ballarat and the Ballarat Learning Exchange, musicians are able to utilise the excellent recording and multimedia facilities at the BLX. [ more info... ]
RMIT University Peer Mentoring
VIC Type of Program: Peer
Location: Melbourne
The RMIT Peer Mentoring Program aims to increase engagement in Science and Maths for Primary and Secondary students. This involves University students entering Science and Maths classrooms where they build relationships, lead small groups, conduct activities and help students one on one. The In2science program has the mentors going into a class for 2 hours per week over a 10 week period. [ more info... ]
Standing Tall - In School Mentoring Program
VIC Type of Program: One to One
Location: Hamilton
Standing Tall is an in-school mentoring program which recruits and trains members of the community students to act as mentors to students in a school setting. [ more info... ]
Tertiary Mentoring Program
VIC Type of Program: One to One
Location: Collingwood
The Smith Family's tertiary 'Learning for Life' scholarship program supports university and TAFE studies through a scholarship towards textbooks and other educational expenses, and through the opportunity for these students to have a mentor. The Tertiary Scholarship Scheme is designed to support the transition of university and TAFE students through their period of study and into the workforce. Scholarship students in their 1st year of study are matched with a career mentor who can offer an alternative avenue of support for these young people from financially disadvantaged backgrounds where it is not always possible to draw upon parental experience or social networks. [ more info... ]
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award - Neighbourhood Renewal Mentoring Program
VIC Type of Program: One to One
Location: Collingwood
The Neighbourhood Renewal Mentoring Program aims to connect Adult Volunteers with The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Independent Participants. The Mentors have an opportunity to support a young person to participate in an International Award that enables individual challenges, the setting and achieving of personal goals, self improvement and which encourages persistence and determination. The Mentoring Program enables Mentors to share experiences, to see participants of the Award acquiring new found wisdom, helps to bridge the generation gap and enables the forming of rewarding relationships with a Mentee. [ more info... ]
The Village Project
VIC Type of Program: One to One
Location: Corryong
One-on-one, site-based mentoring for kids and adults to meet at a safe, neutral environment for one hour a week. Neighbourhood House offers a range of activities and crafts for the pairs to do while they get to know each other. At the end of the 8 weeks, the kids, parents/caregivers and mentors are given the chance to decide on their next steps. [ more info... ]
Tomorrow:Today Mentoring
VIC Type of Program: One to One
Location: Benalla
Tomorrow:Today Foundation's Education Program objective is for "all students in Year 9 to have a significant adult in their lives". The mentor program is one strategy to achieve this. Mentors, who are volunteers, provide, guidance, role modelling, assistance and are another support for mentored students. [ more info... ]
Ucan2 Volunteer Peer Mentoring Program
VIC Type of Program: Peer
Location: Carlton
The Ucan2 Volunteer Peer Mentoring Program is looking for 20-28 years old with experience in balancing part time work with study to be volunteer peer mentors to newly arrived young people from refugee backgrounds. Ucan2 is an opportunity to further develop leadership skills, contribute to your local community, help a peer and have fun within a curriculum classroom. The volunteer peer mentors will be required on Thursday 12-4pm fortnightly in the City of Greater Dandenong area over five months during the school term (approximately nine times). [ more info... ]
Whitelion Leaving Care Bendigo
VIC Type of Program: One to One, Group
Location: Bendigo
The Leaving Care Mentoring Program aims to match young people, who are transitioning from state care to independent living, with a mentor from their own community. Being a mentor is about offering a supportive and non-judgmental relationship to a young person and becoming a positive and motivating influence in their life. Mentors connect, encourage and inspire young people to reach their full potential. [ more info... ]
WhiteLion Leaving Care Mentoring
VIC Type of Program: One to One, Group
Location: MORWELL
WhiteLion's Mentoring programmes work with disadvantaged Young People involved with the Child protection and Youth Justice Systems. These Young People are often disconnected from the Community due to abuse, neglect, addictions and poverty. They have often had horrific life experiences and lack positive role models. [ more info... ]
Whitelion Mentoring Programs Victoria
VIC Type of Program: One to One, Group
Location: Parkville
Whitelion has a number of Mentoring Programs to suit young people at various levels of involvement with the Youth Justice or Out-of-Home Care Systems. These programs include:
(a) Custodial Youth Justice
(b) Community Based Youth Justice
(c) Leaving Care
(d) Ramp (in partnership with REACH)
(e) Ansaar multicultural mentoring Whitelion Mentoring Programs currently operate in Eastern, North and West Metropolitan Melbourne, Geelong, Bendigo and Gippsland. Please see our website for details on each program. [ more info... ]
Whitelion Ramp Mentoring Program
VIC Type of Program: One to One, Group
Location: Parkville
The Ramp program is a partnership program blending Whitelion Mentoring with Reach experiential workshops, focused on personal development and support for young people living in residential care in the Eastern Metropolitan Region of Melbourne. [ more info... ]
Whitelion's Mentoring Program Custodial Services
VIC Type of Program: One to One, Group, Peer
Location: Parkville
Whitelion provides Mentoring to young people involved with the Juvenile Justice system, providing transition back into the community. The program creates opportunities for young people to connect with positive role models through one2one and group mentoring experiences. The aim of the mentoring program is to promote purposeful, voluntary, relationships in which mentors assist young people to develop a positive sense of self and connections with their community. [ more info... ]
Whitelion's Northern Youth Justice Mentoring Program
VIC Type of Program: One to One
Location: Parkville
Whitelion runs the Northern Youth Justice Mentoring Program for young people from Melbourne's northern region who are on Youth Justice community based orders, including parole, at-risk of offending, and those in transition back into the community from the Youth Justice system. The program provides opportunities for young people to connect with positive role models through one2one and group mentoring experiences. The aim of the mentoring program is to promote purposeful, voluntary, relationships in which mentors assist young people to develop a positive sense of self and connections with their community. [ more info... ]
Willing and Able Mentoring (WAM) program
VIC Type of Program: One to One
Location: Burwood
Willing and able (WAM Program) matches Tertiary students or job seekers with disability with a mentor in the career area the mentee is aspiring towards for a series of 8 mentoring sessions in the workplace. [ more info... ]
XLR8 Mentoring Program
VIC Type of Program: One to One
Location: Dandenong
XLR8 Mentoring Program, auspiced by Jesuit Social Services, provides positive role models to young people involved in the Youth Justice system, to assist them in accessing and maintaining education, employment or training, within the Southern and Eastern metropolitan regions of Melbourne, Victoria. [ more info... ]
YMCA Youth Mentoring
VIC Type of Program: One to One
Location: Fairfield
The primary focus of YMCA Youth Mentoring is the relationship. Each trusting, professionally backed, long-term relationship will also have set objectives and outcomes. Mentoring within the YMCA comes in many forms. [ more info... ]
YMCA Youth Mentoring - Casey Region
VIC Type of Program: One to One
Location: Narre Warren
The primary focus of YMCA Youth Mentoring is the relationship. Each trusting, professionally backed, long-term relationship will also have set objectives and outcomes. Mentoring within the YMCA comes in many forms. [ more info... ]
YMCA Youth Mentoring Program
VIC Type of Program: One to One
Location: Wodonga
YMCA Youth Mentoring is an exciting initiative of YMCA Victoria. The program empowers young people from the local community to make positive life choices that enable them to maximise their potential. The program targets young people assessed as at-risk or in need of specific support and/or guidance. [ more info... ]
Young Carers Mentoring Project
VIC Type of Program: One to One
Location: Footscray
The Young Carer Mentoring Project is for young people aged 14-18 years who live in Melbourne's western suburbs and have a responsibility to look after a family member or friend. The person they care for may have a chronic condition or physical or mental illness, a disability, alcohol or other drug dependency. The role of the mentor will be to provide mentored young carers with an opportunity to take a break from the caring role. [ more info... ]
Youth Mentoring Assisted Pathways (YMAP)
VIC Type of Program: One to One
Location: Kensington
The Mentoring Program's goal is to support young people who are at risk of leaving school and to help them explore educational and employment pathways. the program has been running inschools in the north west of Melbourne since 2002. Mentors meet students for approximately 2 hours per week for a term, usually 10 -12 weeks in a time allocated by the secondary college. [ more info... ]
We would like to acknowledge that this information was sourced from the Australian Youth Mentoring Network website.
This project is funded by the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations under the National Disability Coordination Officer Program. The views expressed in these materials are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.