It was my pleasure this week to attend one of YWCA NSW’s great annual fundraising events, “The Mother of All Lunches”.
Each year this event raises money for YWCA NSW’s mentoring programs such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, and In-School Mentoring.
With Mother’s Day coming up this weekend, it’s an important time to reflect on the importance of positive adult role models in our lives.
Most of us could name many people who helped guide and support us growing up – parents, siblings, coaches or teachers — those who’ve shared words of wisdom when we’ve had to make a difficult decision, or simply encouraged us to understand what we were passionate about or reach for our goals.
Sadly, many children across NSW lack this support.
In fact, 9,000 young people in Sydney come from families experiencing issues like domestic violence, drug and alcohol abuse, mental health concerns and unemployment.
The impact on children growing up in this environment can be profound.
Often they have no one to help them succeed academically, develop bonds with others, avoid problem behaviours and make healthy choices. They are more likely to have low literacy and numeracy levels and are more than twice as likely to be unemployed as those who finished school.
From this point, there is often a downward spiral. The odds stack up against these kids, and they become the next generation of frustrated and rejected adults – who then often continue the cycle by raising frustrated and rejected kids themselves.
Providing these young people with strong adult support and guidance helps break this cycle, by providing access to personal relationships that demonstrate alternatives.
They begin to develop different skills and explore experiences that increase their sense of self esteem, improve their relationships, and develop their potential at home, school and in the community.
It’s no exaggeration to say that many of the young people on the program are transformed by having a mentor.
In a study involving mentees, many said their mentor changed their perspective on what they thought possible in life and that they were now getting along better with their families. Fifty two per cent agreed their mentor had kept them from dropping out of high school, 46% were less likely to begin using illegal drugs.
To date, Big Brothers Big Sisters has supported over 4000 young people in Sydney with a positive role model, and many individuals continue to put their hand up for the role of a ‘Big’.
The intensive nature of the Big Brothers Big Sisters™ program, including the ongoing support given to the volunteers, young people and their families over a minimum of 12 months, as well as the rigorous recruitment screening and training of the volunteers means that to keep these programs running we’re also in need of financial support. These proven, effective programs that transform lives cannot continue, or expand, without it.
Some final words of wisdom from one of our Bigs: “A lot of people have gone further than they thought they could, because someone else thought they could.”
All too true.
Happy Mother’s Day.