July 2011

INFO UPDATE 

Hi to all in the YMAP family,

Firstly, my apologies. I was planning a newsletter for around this time, but I missed quite a few days at work last week and have managed to run out of enough time to get something of substance together.

Thus I will limit this to some dot point information, covering a number of topics.

But as always, I won’t start before tossing in something cute!

I mean really, how can you not love a camel?

Now, with your moods suitably elevated I shall proceed with the (mostly good) YMAP news that needs telling:

-        I am especially grateful to all those who have put up their hands to mentor at Footscray City. But unfortunately we’ve had some last minute drop outs, so  this is a plea to rally to the Footscray City YMAP cause and help us make up the mentor numbers. We NEED AT LEAST TWO MORE VOLUNTEERS!!! FYI, Footscray City starts next Fri., July 22;

-         Due to a couple of hiccups along the way the Gilmore Girls College program has now been extended by one month and will now end on September 1;

-         Just on Gilmore, thanks to a couple of mentors there who volunteered to work with their girls during the school holidays. What a lovely gesture to give up those extra hours;

-         Great result at Strathmore Secondary. Just the day after the second term program ended June, the school contacted me to ensure that they had a priority booking for a YMAP program in 2012. I believe this is the first time we’ve ever been asked for a commitment this early;

-         More great news; it seems SpiritWest Services (the education arm of the Western Bulldogs Football Club) WILL be back on board and running a program later this year (likely term four). We missed being out there last year, but recent discussions suggest we will return in 2011. SpiritWest is a VCAL-based community school and it seems likely they will be identifying around ten students whom they believe will benefit from a mentoring relationship. More news on this soon; and

-         And finally, just on a sad note, it appears we have lost one of our most treasured mentors. I am loath to mention individuals - as your are all terrific – and she would be embarrassed that I’m singling her out. But Gina Woolley has landed a terrific job working with young people and is ending her time as a volunteer. She has worked on around 10 programs in the last two years and she has helped develop some marvelous resources for young people along the way. As a YMAP mentor she has gone ‘above and beyond’ in so many ways. We wish her all the best in the future and will miss her enormously.

Now for some great feedback from the kids. Here is just a little of the post-program feedback we received from the young people involved in programs just completed at Strathmore Secondary and Braybrook Secondary. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did.

“My mentor was awesome, because she knows heaps of shit”.

“My mentor has made me more confident and helped me think about the future”.

“I have never enjoyed coming to school as much as when I knew I was seeing my mentor”.

“I had a really good mentor who helped me with my resume and my communication with people”.

“Please keep this program going for the future.”

“My mentor taught me to follow my ambitions.”

“It was very helpful. I just wish it went on for much longer.”

“It made me a better person.”

Finally, just a program update for semester two, which starts next week.

Important to note that WE ARE DESPERATELY IN NEED of mentor numbers for the two Essendon Keilor College programs (No.6 & 7), so if you feel inclined to jump aboard please contact Karina or myself as soon as you are able.

2011 YMAP PROGRAMS (as of 08/07)

Please note - Depending on the school, period times may vary slightly, however, as a general rule:

-          P 1 – 2 is approx. 8.45am to around 11 am;

-          P 3 – 4 is approx. 10.45am to around 1pm;

-          P 5 – 6 is approx. 12.45pm to around 3 pm.

***  - Gilmore Girls is a current exception. Please note that this college only has four periods per day. Thus P4 is the last period of the day and runs from approximately 1pm until 3pm.

# - Please note that the second Braybrook program is likely to expand into an ‘out of hours’ program in the latter half of the year. The school has expressed an interest in having mentors and students work together during school hours – as per usual – and then expanding the relationship to include an extra hour or two at the end of the school day. YMAP mentors on student placement might find this an ideal way to get extra placement hours.

@ - Also please note that both the Kensington Community and Spiritwest Services programs will ONLY go ahead if we can some the required mentoring numbers together (probably six at each school). We are happy to tailor these around the mentor’s available hours, so let us know if you are looking for something a little flexible. Again YMAP mentors on student placement might find this an ideal way to get extra placement hours.

Thanks for your time and wonderful work folks.

Please stay great, be happy, be healthy and be kind.

I look forward to catching up with you all soon.

Greg Blake

Youth Worker

Co-ordinator - Youth Mentoring Assisted Pathways Program (YMAP)

Maribyrnong Moonee Valley LLEN

40 Bellair Street , Kensington

P.O. Box 78 Flemington 3031

03 93767251

Mob.0422673847