The MASP Youth Mentoring Program is a community-based mentoring program delivered by Mallee Accommodation and Support Program (MASP). The 12-month program is designed to ‘make a difference’ to young people who have been subjected to multiple adverse childhood experiences and who are likely to have significantly fewer life opportunities than their peers.
The program provides support to young people through mentoring and exposes them to positive life experiences and challenges. It increases their opportunities to engage with family, education and employment. Most importantly, it brings together community members, local business and like-minded agencies to work together for the benefit of young people in the local area.
The relationship between the mentor and the mentee aims to increase the capacity of the young person to make positive connections with the community and to help improve their self-confidence and physical and emotional wellbeing.
The whole program is delivered over a 12-month period involving;
- Personal development
- Physical training
- Ongoing mentoring support for the young people
Mentoring is a mutually beneficial relationship which involves a more experienced person helping a less experienced person to identify and achieve their goals. Mentoring can provide opportunities to meet new people and to develop skills while having a positive influence on a young person. The MASP Mentors Handbook provides comprehensive information about the theory and practice of Mentoring.