Mentoring Program.

Mentoring has played a major role at Glendyne with funding through Mentoring in the Marketplace (new window) through FACS. The aim has been to conduct out of hours activities with positive role models which has led to some great outcomes. The mentoring holiday program was implemented following six of our youth ending up in detention over previous holidays due to offending behaviours. Many of the clients were referred from Department of Communities and were considered to be those at the highest risk of offending during the break and also becoming totally disconnected. The program was designed to be both recreational and educational with the main goal of linking the youth with positive role models who would encourage the youth to connect back into education or a job.

Activities for girls included:

• Ten pin bowling, girls worked with mentors during this period and built relationships and dealt with issues.
• Day at the movies and lunch together.
• Waterslide and golf and games.
• Shopping trips etc.
• Trip to Bundaberg where they experienced the hospitality set-up at Sizzlers.
• Other recreational activities.

Activities for the boys included a mechanics program which majored on Motor bikes and recreational and fitness activities.

• Hiking at Double Island Point
• Mechanics program
• Surfing Swimming Boating and fishing activities
• Hiking at Lenthal Dam and swimming
• Hiking at Kenilworth in the National Park area.
• 4wd trip to Rainbow Beach and Double Island Point
• Motor cycle repairs
• Motor cycle day at Glen Echo near Gympie.

An evaluation of this program is being undertaken, feedback forms from students give these activities a very high rating, with 100% positive feedback. Mentors feedback indicates that they built valuable relationships and trust, leading to many of these youth connecting into full time education and TAFE outcomes.

Feedback from Dept. of Communities Youth Justice indicates this program had a major effect on the usual negative outcomes during the holiday period. Manny Hegarty, Manger of Dept. of Communities Youth Justice, said ..."it was the first holiday period that he can remember where none of the current youth justice referrals re-offended during the holidays."

The activities below have played a major role in preventing substance abuse. We have detailed feedback from parents and agencies which shows these youth have changed their behaviours dramatically after being involved in this program. Student feedback forms indicate reduced substance abuse due to the fact that they are heavily involved in sport and positive recreational activities.

More information on the Mentoring program can be found in the Snap Shot of Glendyne.

Some recent mentoring activity photos.