Mentor Young People, Frankston and Mornington areas
About this opportunity
About the role
As a Volunteer Mentor you will support a young person to develop a positive and safe relationship with an adult role model, connect into their community, pursue their interests and work towards individual goals. The guidance you provide will help to increase their social confidence, reduce feelings of isolation and increase the young person's capacity to develop diverse, positive, and sustainable community connections.
Key responsibilities for this role include:
- Provide appropriate level of role modeling and support to young people
- Encourage the young person to consider education, training, and employment opportunities
- Promote and assist a young person's community participation
- Participate in a core training program and regular meetings with the program coordinator
**Volunteer Requirements **
To be successful in this role you will have:
- A genuine interest in being a positive role model and supporting young people to reach their potential.
- Aligned values with the mission and ethos of Jesuit Social Services
- Commitment and ability to work effectively with young people, and the community.
- Willingness to work with young people with various challenges such as living with a disability, mental health diagnoses, victim survivors and childhood trauma.
- Willingness to participate in 12 hours of core training
- Be available once a week for a minimum of 1 hour to spend with the mentee/ young person.
- Willingness to have regular supervision and attend occasional professional development training.
- Valid Working with Children Check Card
- Successful Interview and Police Check Conducted by Jesuit Social Services (at no cost for volunteers) prior to commencement.
About the program
The Community Connection Mentoring program is aimed at providing extended community support to young people involved in the Child Protection system, who reside in residential or home-based care and are soon to be transitioning into independent living. This is done through matching volunteers from the community with one of our young people for a 6-12- month formal mentor partnership; where they meet weekly in the community for mentoring sessions. Furthermore, the mentor and mentee have the opportunity to stay in touch beyond the formal 12-month time frame. Mentors engage in regular recreational activities with individual young people to facilitate the development of an enduring and constructive relationships. This reduces isolation, creates hope for a positive future, increases opportunities to pursue their interests, and increases relationship skills and social resources. Group activity days are also offered to all young people and volunteers on the program as an additional opportunity to connect and build community.
About the organisation
Jesuit Social Services is a social change organisation working to build a just society where all people can live to their full potential. Since 1977, Jesuit Social Services has been providing services to some of the most disadvantaged in our community. We place a high priority on advocacy and are a leader in policy development and research. Jesuit Social Services is a Child Safe organisation and is committed to protecting children and young people from harm. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to providing a family-friendly working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion.
Additional requirements
National Police Certificate *. Working with Children Check *.
1-2 hours per week (average), Time- flexible
Type of work- Companionship & Social Support
- Counselling & Help Line
- Education & Training
- Tutoring & Coaching
Compulsory training dates TBA , Dandenong