MARIST  YOUTH  MENTORING

After many months of planning our Marist Youth Mentoring initiative finally began earlier this year, 2010, when we established a community, comprising of brothers Rom, Rupert and Martin, in Takanini, a southern suburb of Auckland, in the hope of working in the Papakura/Manurewa areas. Once contact had been made with the local family support agencies, Police Youth Aide and the Alternative Education Centres in the area, Strengthening Families began making referrals to us and as we became known, Social Workers and RTLB’s (Resource Teacher for Learning and Behaviour) have also been in touch.

As well as beginning a mentoring community in Takanini Br. Nevil, working through the Pastoral Care teacher at Hato Petera College, began mentoring some of the students who are in need of support.  At present there are a total of 9 young people who are being mentored.

What actually is mentoring? This could be answered by saying what it is NOT – it is not about saving or rescuing young people, nor fixing their families, nor prescribing ways they should live or behave, nor counselling them. It is more about being there for them, listening to them, hearing their stories and being concerned for them.  To quote from the Guide to Effective Practice in Youth Mentoring on the role of mentors which also speaks of what mentoring is:-

Mentors are caring individuals who move alongside young people (in our case 11-16yr olds) to encourage them to reach their unique potential. These young people feel unconditionally cared for and valued in structured and trusting relationships, while their lives gain meaning and purpose.

Looking into the future, we want to engage Champagnat Marists, particularly young adults, in this work of being alongside young people to be that attentive, listening ear; to be a mentor.