Jindi Woraback Youth Mentoring Project (Shire of Yarra Ranges)

When were you born?

In early 2007

Who funds you?

Office for Youth, Department of Planning and Community Development

What kind of mentoring program are you?

One to one and group based mentoring

Who are your young people

Young people aged 12-25 that live, work or study in the Shire of Yarra Ranges, from all backgrounds who require additional support and friendship.

What do you try to do for your young people?

I endeavor to build, facilitate and support friendships between young people and mentors. I assist young people to increase their self esteem, self work and confidence and role model positive relationships, life experiences and life choices

Where do you operate?

Shire of Yarra Ranges

How many young people and mentors do you support right now?

8 one to one matches and 16 group based matches

What’s so exciting about you?

I am the only one to one and group based mentoring program in the Outer East of Melbourne that support young people aged 12-25 years. My name is an Indigenous word meaning to join and unite from the Wurundjeri people of the Yarra Valley.

How are you different to other mentoring programs?

I offer one to one and group based mentoring.

Do you have any partners to help you out?

Big Brothers Big Sisters Melbourne has assisted in my development and continues to provide me with ongoing support. The Eastern Regional Library provides me with a training room and staff resource for my homework support group. Anglicare Yarra Valley currently helps me doing combined training and referrals.

What have you learnt from your journey so far?

The initial 6-9 months of my life was all about project design and development. This period of time is crucial in my ongoing success.

What has been your biggest challenge?

I have found it really hard recruiting younger aged mentors between 18-35 years of age. Volunteers in this age range are often working full time, building careers, raising families etc and are often too busy to be giving time for volunteering.

How have you dealt with this challenge?

Ongoing promotion of the project through media, network meetings and other organisations

What’s the best thing you’ve done so far?

In April 2008 I grew a homework support group. This group based mentoring was developed in partnership with Eastern Regional Libraries and the Shire of Yarra Ranges Youth Services and helped fulfill the needs of both young people and volunteer mentors. The homework group utilizes the specific skills and knowledge of mentors to support young people and increase access to community facilities. 12 young people and five mentors have attended regularly and feedback from young people, the families, mentors and library staff indicate they really like this part of me.

What is the one piece of advice would you give to other programs?

Don’t set match targets too high in the first year. Give me time to be clear about who I am and how I’m going to work