Our Mission

“To provide positive role models who assist, target, engage and enhance the skills and life experiences of local young people.”

What exactly is mates?

• MATES is a Mentoring Program which has been designed as a model which is easy and effective for all schools to run at very little cost.
• MATES matches students (Mentees) in school with a volunteer (Mentor) from the local community.

Where is mates operating so far?

In 2012 Goroke will be launching and the WSMLLEN will be strongly supporting Kaniva College, Connect Ed and the Horsham Special School to implement programs.

The program has also been sent to Mt Gambier, Sydney, Melbourne, Ballarat and Lake Bolac for implementation.

What are the aims of mates?

The aims of the MATES program are clearly contained in its acronym:

Mentor – to provide an additional positive role model in the lives of young people

Assist      – to assist and extend the positive life experiences of young people

Target      – to specifically target life and educational goals of young people

Engage   – to engage young people more fully into their schools and local communities

Skills       – to identify and enhance the skills of young people

Who can get involved?

• MATES Mentors have to be over the age of 18  
• Participants must meet eligibility criteria and Mentors have to get a Working with Children Check if they don’t already have one.
• Students are usually referred into the program by teachers.
• There is a screening process which means the Mentees are matched up with the best suited Mentor.

What is the time commitment?

To become involved in the program Mentors and Mentees have to commit to one year with two one hour ‘catch ups’ per month minimum.

How DOES IT WORK?

1. Schools get School Council permission to run the program and nominate a Program Coordinator
2. Mentees are usually nominated by teachers to be involved but can also express interest to join the program
3. Mentees get permission from parents and fill in application packs
4. Mentors are found and fill in application packs and go through screening process
5. Mentors and Mentees both complete training
6. Fun launch night – where matches meet each other for the first time, swap details and make a time to catch up
7. For the first 3 months ‘catch ups’ are during school time once a fortnight, this time is flexible and worked out between mentee and mentor
8. At the '3 month point' a meeting occurs and permission forms are signed by mentor, mentee and parents/guardians so 'catch ups' can start occuring outside of school
9. The whole time you stay in regular contact with your Program Coordinator 

Want to know more?