My Way Youth Mentoring

To refer please download form HERE

Girls (aged 14 to 25) who are at risk or entangled in the criminal justice system are referred to as the Mentee. 

WJN’s My Way Youth Mentoring Program predominantly works in Sydney and Greater Western Sydney.  We can reach outside of these areas, depending on mentor availability and current capacity.  

What exactly is mentoring? 

Mentoring is the one-on-one relationship between a Mentor and a Mentee. Matching a Mentor and Mentee is a specialised process. No two mentoring relationships are the same. The Women’s Justice Network take a client-centred approach, whereby the Mentee is encouraged to voice what she would like to achieve by having a Mentor. Intentions vary from vague to specific; they most often include social, emotional and/or practical support. Once the Women’s Justice Network have familiarised themselves with the Mentee’s motivation and the type/level of assistance she will require, an appropriate and fitting Mentor is then selected, and the relationship commences.

For both parties (the Mentor and the Mentee) this relationship is voluntarily entered into. It is this initial willingness and motivation that heightens the chances of creating a beneficial relationship resulting in successful outcomes.

The Mentor assisted by the support of the Women’s Justice Network, assists the Mentee to gain the necessary skills, confidence and direction to overcome life’s obstacles and avoid the possibility of incarceration, particularly during vulnerable periods in adolescence.

Mentoring is in-between that of a friendship and a professional relationship. Mentees often refer to their Mentors as their ‘guide’, ‘role model’ and ‘go-to person’. Mentoring is not case management or counselling, rather it is empowering a Mentee to find and implement their own solutions whilst enhancing their social supports and networks.

My Way Youth Mentoring Program

The My Way Mentoring Program works to address the social, emotional and economic complexities that contribute to female youth engaging in behaviours correlated to criminalization, whilst encouraging autonomy, community engagement, healthy relationships and boundaries. 

The My Way Mentoring Project aims to provide an opportunity for young women aged 14 – 25 years to acquire life skills to enable a productive presence within the community and to make decisions that will prevent incarceration.

This is achieved by linking female volunteer mentors with young women who display behaviours that put them at risk of entering the criminal justice system.  The availability and commitment of mentors on a voluntary basis is critical to creating a sustainable relationship with the young woman.

A sense of belonging and connectedness can be developed from a range of activities such as:

● Providing pro-social support to young women to assist their ability to engage within their local community, including educational services 

● Assisting and referrals to local services

● Enhancing knowledge of and access to recreational activities such as; sport, arts and leisure in the local area

To register an Expression of Interest form to become a Youth Mentor please go HERE