The Mentoring program provides opportunities for “at risk” young people at school to connect with successful adult community mentors in order to positively influence their lives.

Following the outstanding success of pilot programs, Y-Care (South-East Queensland) Inc. intends to further extend this program to other areas of geographic need. The original pilot program still continues after seven years with many of the original volunteers still supporting the program weekly.

The program specifically targets young people identified by their school guidance staff as being “high risk” of dropping out of school, of not realizing their full potential, and/or for living a welfare- or crime-dependent life. The majority of young people referred to our program are coming from second- and third-generation welfare-dependent families, and so do not have adult role models with long-term employment backgrounds.

The focus is on assisting young people who suffer hardship through the personal circumstances of their family or as a result of physical, emotional or sexual abuse.

The objectives of the Mentoring program are

• Assist young people to receive an education by helping to provide them with the desire to stay in school and therefore decrease the chances of disengaging from education, becoming welfare-dependant or becoming involved in a crime-related lifestyle.
• Provide a timely intevention program to reduce school absentism and remain engaged in education
• Reconnect young people with adult members of the community and provide then with positive role models.
• Increase the reach of the program by involving more schools.
• Assist these disadvantaged and /or marginalised young people to develop vocational skills, outside interests and social skills.
• To build stronger, more cohesive communities, particularly in areas of disadvantage.