By Parker McKenzie
Children’s welfare charity Big Brothers Big Sisters Australia is looking to recruit more mentors in Boronia and launch the program throughout the Dandenong Ranges.
The not-for-profit charity will launch in the hills on Thursday 6 October after expanding to Boronia in March 2022.
BBBS CEO Mark Watt said they’ve already matched people with mentors but are currently looking for a few more to meet the needs of young people in the area.
“We’re looking for people that are probably 25 to 40 that really want to help young people and can connect with them one day a week,” he said.
“Take them places, spend your time with them once a week, whether it’s cooking, playing sports, or spending some time with a young person. That’s so important.”
BBBS launched in Boronia earlier in the year with the help of a $50,000 grant from the Victorian Government, providing one-on-one, long-term and intensive mentorship designed to respond to the needs of young people aged between seven and 17. The charity received $9,881 in funding from Yarra Ranges Council’s Grants for Community project to expand into the Dandenong Ranges.
Mr Watt said the program helps young people with loneliness by letting them know that someone cares for them.
“We had an 11-year-old who talked about he really looked forward to seeing his mentor every week, they’ve got a great relationship,” he said.
“It really makes a difference in his life. It was really encouraging to see someone so young talking about the benefit of having a mentor.”
Mr Watt said the mentor benefits by giving them purpose and the ability to make a difference in the lives of young people who need help.
“It’s also a win for the family who get the support that they need. Many of these families are isolated and having a mentor really does support them by giving the young person some human interaction,” he said.
“Having a mentor means actually learning socialising skills, which is important as they’re growing up.”
Interested mentors can find out more or enquire about taking part at bigbrothersbigsisters.org.au
