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What's NEW on the site? |
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We Want You... To Join Our Register Programs Campaign!
 We know there are many more programs out there that we haven't got registered on our database as yet. We know you know about them too!
We need your help in letting people know that they should register their program. The more areas we cover, the better the referrals we can make. Every week we are contacted by parents, case managers and teachers who want to find out about a local program. But unless the program's details are registered, we cannot make a referral.
That's why we need your help! If you know of a mentoring program that is not listed on our website, send them this newsletter and encourage them to join. The more programs, the better the referrals and the bigger your support network becomes!
New Mentoring Tool Available
I.Define is an innovative tool aimed at primary adolescents to encourage them to verbalise their emotions and perceptions on the complexities of their lives. I.Define was created by students for students and comprises of 16 A5 scale cards and 15 emotive character cards, all beautifully drawn, as well as pencils, markers and paper for young people to record their journey.
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In The Loop |
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Its All Happening in 2009
 This year the YMN is launching new training courses for coordinators who have been in the sector for a number of years. The courses are designed to provide high level skills and assist with the many hats a coordinator must wear e.g. publicists, accountant, fundraiser etc. The course dates and locations are in the calendar and the topics will be confirmed in March.
We are also launching this month a new section to the newsletter thanks to some great feedback from our readers. Each month we will highlight either the new programs who have joined the Network in the past month or programs with a particular focus e.g. programs for hearing impaired young people, arts programs etc. The idea is help build networks not only around geographical areas but connecting programs with a similar focus. If you would like to see a particular set of programs be highlighted please let us know and we will put them in a newsletter for you.
Finally, we are working with both Federal and State Governments to increase the funding provided to the mentoring sector. We are constantly in contact with them but the more people we have also raising the issue with local Members of Parliament the more influence we will have as a group. If you would like to be more involved in this process please contact us and we would be happy to be of assistance. |
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Funding Issues! |
 In 2007, the YMN conducted the Understanding Australian Mentoring Programs survey to provide a snap shot of how mentoring programs were travelling. What it revealed about the funding and sustainability of mentoring programs was disturbing. 37% of programs surveyed were to have their program funding cease by 31st of December 2007. Only 2% of programs surveyed had a sustainable funding source. While some of these programs have been lucky to obtain extensions of contracts or obtained alternative funding, 20 programs have not been that lucky. Since the survey, conducted in late 2007, the YMN has seen 20 programs close. Though many new programs have been funded in this time many great programs were unable to attract funding before their deadlines. The YMN will again be conducting this survey for 2009 to obtain another snapshot of the mentoring sector. Your contribution is vital to ensure that we have some hard evidence to show how many young people are being mentored by the programs, identifying the issues the programs are facing and how the Network can be of better assistance. Please keep an eye out for your invitation to participate later in March. Can't wait for the 2009 results click here to view the 2007 report- Mentoring Matters |
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Program Update iPod Shuffle Competition Winner! |
Thank you to everyone who updated their program details in November and December!
Our Program Update Competition is now closed. A huge thanks to all the programs who updated their details on the YMN website!
We have drawn the winner of our Program Update Competition and would like to congratulate the winner, Anne Atley.
Anne is from the Vinnies Mentor Marketplace Program. Mentor Marketplace is a unique mentoring program initiated by the Commonwealth Government and delivered across the Deniliquin region by Vinnies Services. It aims to increase the mentoring opportunities available to young people, particularly those who are at greatest risk of disconnection from their families. In addition, Mentor Marketplace seeks to develop a lasting mentoring culture in business, schools and the community, by increasing the awareness and value of mentoring.
Congratulations again to Anne! |
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New Programs |
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New Programs Listed on the Youth Mentoring National Database!
Eight fantastic youth mentoring programs were listed on our website during December 2008 and January 2009!
We would like to welcome the following programs to the National Database:
Click on their names above to learn more about these programs.
Remember, there is no cost involved in the program registration. By registering your program details on our online database, you will also be adding your voice to the growing number of youth mentoring programs demanding the government take a more serious look at mentoring. If we all work together, we can achieve a more knowledgeable mentoring environment and provide better support for your program, which will lead to more support and guidance for the youth of Australia.
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Events
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Youth Mentoring Forum Series
Keep an eye on our website for further details of the following upcoming forums:
April 24 - Darwin
April 30 - NSW Regional - Newcastle
June 18 - Melbourne
Mid year - Adelaide
September 25 - Vic Regional - Bendigo
December - Bunbury WA If you missed one of our forums or would like to access information used in the presentations, click here to visit our Past Forums page to download PowerPoint presentations or forum notes.
Forum Series 2009 - Co-hosts Needed
The Youth Mentoring Network is still looking for co-hosts for our NSW Metro forum. If you are interested in being a partner organisation for a forum, download a MOU to see what is involved in the process or email info@youthmentoring.org.au.
Youth Mentoring Mentor Summit
The YMN Mentor Summits are professional development opportunities for volunteer mentors in recognition of their great work and invaluable contribution they make to youth mentoring. The Summits are an additional resource to enhance the skills of volunteer mentors.
Noosa Summit - 21 March 2009
The Youth Mentoring Network, in partnership with United Synergies, will be holding the Noosa Mentor Summit on Saturday, 21st March 2009. The topic for this forum will be "Understanding and Communitcating with Gen Y". The speaker at this Summit will be Andrew Fuller, an acclaimed author and clinical psychologist.
When: 21 March 2009
Where: Australis Noosa Lakes Resort
3 Hilton Terrace
Noosaville QLD 4566
Time: 10am until 1pm
Cost: $20 includes workshop materials coffee/tea
on arrival, morning tea and lunch
Other Conferences and events
youTHINK - Australian Youth Forum Inaugural Event
Hosted by the Australian Youth Forum and held in all capital cities, Alice Springs and Cairns simultaneously via satellite broadcast
BIG Skills Conference
Hosted by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations on behalf of the Australian Government and held in Sydney on 2-5 March 2009
What's Food Got To Do With It? Insights into Young People with Eating Disorders
Organised by the Centre for Adolescent Health, Royal Children's Hospital and held in Melbourne on 2 April 2009
Making a Difference: Responding to Need in Developing, Implementing and Evaluating Correctional Programs Hosted by the Australian Institute of Criminology and the Victorian Department of Justice and held in Melbourne on 5-6 March 2009
2009 Symposium - Working Together: Advancing Child Protection In The Workplace
Organised by the NSW Ombudsman Child Protection Division and held in Sydney on 25 - 26 May 2009
If you have an event or meeting that would interest youth mentoring practitioners, funding groups or mentors themselves, then you can add these events to the E-newsletter and YMN website.
Simply send an email to info@youthmentoring.org.au containing all the event details and we will be happy to help with your promotion. | |
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Sincerely,
Kathleen Vella
Youth Mentoring Network Australia
Visit the website at http://www.youthmentoring.org.au | |
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