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MAY 2011 NEWSLETTER

***THIS IS ESSENTIAL READING FOR MENTORS WHO

PARTICIPATEDIN THE ‘AMAZING SPACE’ PROJECT IN

2010.***

Hi to all in the YMAP family,

So much to get through, but it’s particularly important that I get a message to all of the wonderful mentors who were involved in last year’s ‘Amazing Space’ project at Essendon Keilor College (if you want to know what I’m talking about, check out our website at www.mmvllen.org.au).

I mean WOW! Sometimes there are these moments when it really rocks to be me. I ran into our partner teacher, Sharyn Trembath, from that project recently and she made quite a point of telling me that I should contact the ‘Amazing Space’ mentors and let them know what a remarkable job they did in 2010.

“You know how sometimes you don’t miss something until it’s not there any more? Well, I really miss the mentors,” Sharyn told me.

“It’s only now that I realise how valuable they were in helping support my students. I keep trying to work out why, this year, I can’t seem to get the message through to all of them as I did last year. Then I worked it out; it’s because we don’t have the mentors.”

“Make sure you tell them what a great job they did.”

So how cool is that! And just to reinforce the message that we deliver in training; you may never see or hear of the great things and positive influences mentors have in the lives of young people, but NEVER THINK THAT YOUR WONDERFUL EFFORTS ARE IN VAIN. You people are extraordinary and that unsolicited praise from Sharyn just made my day – I nearly teared up. I hope it makes your day too.

OK, in an update virtually swimming in good, positive YMAP news it is very difficult to know what to relate to you next. As is my general rule I don’t feel it fair to individualize (all our mentors are equally as remarkable and unique), however there are three of you – you know who you are! – who are doing some really lovely things to develop some interactive and thought-provoking student exercises

Really guys/gals, that is wonderful stuff and we really appreciate you putting in that little extra effort. FYI to all: don’t forget that in my resource bucket in my car we have copies of many little different exercises and ice-breakers (including the ones mentioned above) that you may access and use on request with your mentee/s.

And on this rare occasion I will individualize and acknowledge a couple of remarkable efforts by two of our volunteers, both of whom are involved in the Braybrook program which commenced last week.

Tell me if this isn’t being devoted to the YMAP cause:

-         Long time volunteer Heather literally dragged herself out of a hospital bed to make it to Braybrook for opening day. She had a spell of days in hospital and was only discharged on the same morning as the program commenced; and

-         What about newcomer Kevin, who was so keen to get involved that he travelled from distant Vermont (I have no idea where that is!) with a severe chest infection on both Monday (Braybrook) and Tuesday (Strathmore) as those two programs commenced.

Here is a tribute to two astoundingly devoted YMAP volunteers.

OK, I’m not sure if it looks like either of them, but you get the drift.

Just on the recently commenced Braybrook and Strathmore programs, I hope all of our volunteers involved in those opening days had just as a tremendous time as both I and the students involved did. The energy in both meet and greet days was palpable and the interaction between mentors and mentees was brilliant. Loved it that we had so much fun and, for the mentors, it is worth noting that having de-briefed with both groups of students since it is apparent that they can’t wait to see you again.

Also, I’ve done all the matches, but I am keeping them a secret until we are back in both schools.

With those two programs now up and running I wish to repeat the message that many of our more experienced volunteers already know full well; ENJOY THE JOURNEY. The chances are many of you will come to really like the young people you are paired with and the time with them will go much more quickly than you realise. They will miss being mentored, as you will miss seeing them, so make the most of your time.

Speaking of all the new YMAP mentoring faces, a sincere welcome to you all. Karina and I have met so many new volunteers this year but it is fair to say that we both agree that this year’s intake has been fabulous, with so many positive, passionate and committed people getting involved. You bring us smiles!

Sadly the reverse is true when we have to say farewell to a couple of truly beautiful people who’ve had to exit programs prematurely thus far in 2011, due to other commitments. Just know we say goodbye to you reluctantly, but that the efforts you have made for our students are truly appreciated and you will always be considered part of the YMAP family. I hope you will be able to return in some capacity in the future.

As always, we are still on the lookout for sign-ups to programs, with a particular focus currently on fulfilling our commitments to our late-May return to Gilmore Girls College.

Gilmore Girls is out on the corner of Geelong Road and Barkly Street, in Footscray and the program – aimed at helping around ten girls who have been identified as being most at risk – will commence on May 26 (term 2) and finish on August 11 (term 3).

At this stage we’ve only had four mentors sign up, so if you think you might be up to making a positive impression on our ‘new’ school please let us know – PLEASE!

Please find below our current program ‘state of play’ and please consider helping us with a huge workload over the remainder of 2011.

2011 YMAP PROGRAMS (as of 06/05)

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.

And on a final note, my M & MVLLEN colleague, Natalie Thomas, has successfully commenced a tremendous new initiative, the Braybrook Homework and Literacy Support Program. The program is just up and running but from all reports all the stakeholders believe that Natalie’s project will bring some enormous benefits for the young people involved.

One of our YMAP mentors is also involved there and he said his first night involvement was “terrific” and that the project seems really valuable. If you’d like to know more – or if you are student with YMAP who is seeking more placement hours  - please contact Natalie on 0403 168476 or via email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Also, who likes ducks?

This has nothing at all to do with YMAP, it just cheered me up and made me smile.

Hope it did you too.

So let’s go out on a high note by saying that you people astound me. Thanks guys and gals.

And see 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

email - This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it