The Youth Off The Streets Mentoring Program organises one-on-one relationships between young people and mentors who offer guidance, support and encouragement so that recipients can develop their talents, life skills and achieve their goals. Mentor matches are based on a range of factors including the needs, interests and life experiences of the young person.

The role of the mentor is to be a positive, non-judgmental role model who supports, empowers and encourages young people to develop their support networks, make safe choices and achieve their goals. The Mentoring Program supports young people through educational support, goal setting, career support, improving self-esteem, developing life skills, friendship, encouragement, guidance and learning to drive.

Who are our mentors?

Our mentors come from a variety of different backgrounds and experiences to support our young people and display the following qualities:

• Passion
• Patience
• Understanding
• Perseverance
• A high level of commitment
• Life experiences
• Commitment

Depending on the program, mentors are required to make a minimum 1-2 year commitment to the program. The amount of weekly or fortnightly contact time varies and is agreed and negotiated between mentor and young person, but can be anywhere between 1-3 hours a week/fortnight. Mentors and mentees may interact either over the phone, by email or face to face. For those mentors with mentees based interstate, contact is generally via phone, email or e-technology.

Who are our mentees?

Our mentees are aged between 12 and 21 years of age and are primarily based in the Sydney area, with some based regionally or interstate. We provide mentors the opportunity to meet their mentees face-to-face; however a number of mentors are not matched with someone in the same location.

How do I become a mentor?

Interested applicants are required to:

1. Attend a Mentor Information Session
2. Complete a Mentor Application Form
3. Participate in a Face-to-Face Interview
4. Participate in Mentor Training
5. Successfully complete the following paperwork:
   1. Personality Assessment Screener
   2. National Police Check
   3. Working with Children’s Check
   4. Policies and Code of Conduct

Please be aware that the selection and training process can take a few months and matches will generally occur in the second half of the year following training. We thank applicants for their patience.

Find out more

If you are interested in becoming a mentor and attending a Mentor Information Session, please email: mentoring@youthoffthestreets.com.au