The driving force behind many of our achievements, our volunteers generously contribute their time and skills to help enrich the lives of young people experiencing disadvantage.
From serving meals through the Food Van to managing our op shops, their compassion and dedication offers hope to young people, giving them the strength to face their challenges and move towards a brighter future.
This National Volunteer Week, we’re highlighting the contributions of three amazing volunteers. Read on to learn what inspires them to volunteer and bring positive change to their communities.
Susana do Vale – National Scholarship Program mentor
“It’s been eight months since I started volunteering for Youth Off The Streets.
“I wanted to give back and empower someone experiencing disadvantage to achieve their goals.
“I love my mentee. We’ve formed an excellent bond.
“When we first met, she said she was worried to be paired with someone with a different professional background to her study area, but we talked for three hours nonstop. We just clicked instantly. That was special.
“I’ve enjoyed getting to know her and problem-solving with her. I like helping someone plan and get organised.
“It gives me a lot of joy to see her overcome stress when we work through her challenges together.
“I love that we’ve peeled some anxiety away by the time we end our chats. I feel so good seeing her feel better after a conversation.
“Volunteering through the mentorship program has broadened my horizons and increased my awareness of young people’s challenges.
“It also highlighted for me how important family is and what the lack of family support looks like. Not having that support is difficult for a young person.
“As a mentor, I’ve learned that you must respect people’s space and let them navigate things independently. But it’s also important for them to know I’m here when they need me.”
Jim Mahon – Craig Davis College volunteer
“I started volunteering earlier this year. I did my first day volunteering at Craig Davis College in April, and I’ve been going in every Thursday since.
“I recently retired after 30 years in the public service. I wanted to contribute to community work but didn’t know where to start. I knew the manager at Craig Davis, and she mentioned that they could always use some help, so I signed up.
“The staff and students are all very friendly, and the school has a great vibe. It’s a nice place to be, and I hope my small contribution helps take some load off the staff and assists the kids to have a good day.
“I’ve been impressed by the staff’s attention and dedication to their work. It always gives me a smile when the kids interact with me.
“It’s been an effortless transition for me. Though I have many years of professional experience in various workplaces and environments, the most significant thing I overcame was feeling confident about the role and what my contribution should look like. I simply by turned up and made everyone feel welcome at the school.
“The experience has been great. I’m motivated by seeing the great work taking place to support the kids and hopefully contribute to making their time at school even more positive and beneficial.”
Bill Donaldson – iDrive volunteer, The Lakes College
“It’s been five years since I started volunteering across different programs.
“I paused during Covid but started iDrive at The Lakes College last term.
“My wife also cooks brownies every week, and we take them to the school each Monday for the students.
“As an iDrive mentor, I’ve taken kids to work placements for their work experience who were worried about going alone and didn’t have family to take them.
“I’ve enjoyed it and find it valuable. The kids are worth putting effort into, and I can see their resilience.
“It’s rewarding. A couple of boys need a driver licence to do what they want to do for work, after they finish school. Being on the Central Coast makes getting around on public transportation a bit more challenging.
“One young man I took for work experience lacked the confidence to go by himself. I picked him up from school and went to work. I sat with him until he greeted the person looking after him during the experience.
“He told me it made a difference to him.
“Sharing a little bit of your own story helps them as well. Telling them about your work experience can help them open up. A little reciprocity and empathy go a long way.
“You always receive something from volunteering. And if you find an organisation you feel you can give something to, you should give something to it.
“If you’re thinking about volunteering, just try it. If it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work. But if it does, you might find a good thing to do for others.”
Click here to find out more about volunteering opportunities with Youth Off The Streets.