October 2011

a YMAP short story

Hi once again to all in the YMAP family,

Just a brief story that I want to share with you all, a story I am hoping will better help you understand and appreciate what being a mentor in one of our programs can mean to a young person.

I was at my local supermarket last weekend when I was approached by a genuinely enormous Pacific Islander chap, and even though I couldn’t recognize him he gave me the biggest grin and called me by name.

Turns out I didn’t recognize him because I ran a program in which he was involved for a mere 12 weeks at Buckley Park College away back in 2006 and in the ensuing years he’d grown from a boy into a really big man.

We spoke briefly about what he was doing and how he was getting along (really well, FYI) and before we parted he said “oh, and thanks”.

I asked what for. “Footy was really important to me back then and I asked a few of my teachers to come and see me play in my grand final”, he explained. “And you were the only one that came. I remembered seeing you there that day watching me play and I really appreciated that support and I’ve always wanted to say thanks.”

Which goes to show, once again, that regardless of whether you think so or not, the chances are that what you are doing by mentoring is making a positive difference in the life of a young person.

I thank you most sincerely for that.

Have a terrific day.

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