For the first time ever, Big Brothers Big Sisters has located one of its mentoring staff at a police station in the rural township of Wangaratta in Victoria’s north-east. This partnership with Victoria Police ensures that young people have the best opportunity to access mentoring services in a timely manner.

Funded through the Attorney-General’s Department’s National Community Crime Prevention Program, this unique partnership between a youth mentoring program and Victoria Police is attracting interest across the community sector. The program aims to match 40 young people to volunteer mentors in the upcoming 3 years.

Recently appointed Mentoring Coordinator, Racheal Edis says that the Wangaratta community is right behind the project.

“We have established a local steering committee comprising representatives from business and community sector who can provide advice and assistance”, says Racheal. “They are committed to this project 100% and hope to see the service expand to adjoining Local Government Areas.”

Staff from Big Brothers Big Sisters Melbourne office have visited Wangaratta to provide direct support to Racheal as she embarks on the volunteer recruitment process and networks with local youth agencies and schools.

A recent Information Session for prospective volunteers attracted 25 interested people. Currently there are 7 volunteer applicants undergoing the screening and training process. Another batch of volunteer applicants will be recruited in the upcoming months.

Racheal explained that referrals of young people were steadily rising as the word spreads about the program. “Social isolation, family breakdown and limited adult support seem to be the main reasons why young people are being referred to Big Brothers Big Sisters”, she said.

The program aims to connect these young people by matching them on a one-to-one basis with a carefully screened adult mentor for a minimum of 12 months. However, the experience of Big Brothers Big Sisters would suggest that these matches will last several years.

“Each mentoring friendship aims to be long term and life changing to both the young person and the volunteer mentor!”, says Racheal.

For further information:

(w) 5521 8638
rach.edis.bbbs@westnet.com.au