GET INVOLVED. DO GOOD. HAVE FUN.

We all want to contribute to our community and make the world a better place.

But let's face it, with work, family and social commitments we're all a bit time poor with not much coin to spare.

We all want to contribute to a better community but who has the time left for volunteering!

Here at YPN we are all about "Community action for the time poor" with some easy ways you can add value to the community without adding to your schedule:

Introducing our nominated charity for 2011 ... Whitelion.

Whitelion is a non-profit organisation that supports disadvantaged young people to live more positive and fulfilled lives.

Each year thousands of young people are disconnected from our community due to abuse, neglect, drug addiction and poverty. These young people have often had horrific life experiences with few positive role models and are caught in a 'cycle of discouragement' that is very hard to break. Many end up in Out-of-Home Care and in some cases in the Youth Justice System.

Whitelion in Bendigo provides mentoring and employment support; designed to cater to the particular life stage that young people may be in. Whatever the mix and composition, the programs are focused on developing positive relationships with significant others and providing access to opportunities for social and skills development.

Whitelion programs compliment those provided by the statutory, health and welfare systems. Subsequently, this holistic approach in identifying the needs of young people helps reconnect them with the community and reduces offending behavior.

Mentoring

Mentors connect, encourage and inspire young people to reach their full potential. Being a mentor is about offering a supportive and nonjudgmental relationship to a young person and becoming a positive and motivating influence in their life. Whitelion Mentoring programs provide support at important transition points in the lives of disadvantaged and disconnected young people, assisting in the difficult transitions out of the Juvenile Justice and Child Protection systems. Volunteer Mentors provide the type of support which is difficult to find anywhere else, a trusted friend to support and guide a young person, and assist them to make positive choices in their lives.

Who can be a mentor?

Anyone who is over the age of 18 and successfully completes the Whitelion training and screening process can be a mentor. You do not have to have any particular qualification or come from any given background. We need all sorts of mentors to reflect the diversity of the young people we work with.

Interested in becoming a mentor?

Click here to download the Mentoring Position Description

Click here to download the Mentoring Application Form

Employment

The Whitelion Employment Program provides and seeks community support and encouragement for young people through generating employment opportunities for disadvantaged young people who have been in Out of Home Care. A job is one way of helping these people assimilate into society, it represents all that is terrifying to these young people including responsibility, accountability and, most of all, trusting people. Whitelion plays a pivotal role in partnering willing employers and suitable disadvantaged young people in the wider community. It assists young people to re-establish themselves in the community and gain control of their lives.

Want to learn more? Whitelion will hold an information session for YPN Members. To register for your interest, email info@ypn.net.au.

You can also view more information on the Whitelion website - http://www.whitelion.asn.au/

OUR PAST AFFILIATIONS:

Righteous Pups Australia

 Righteous Pups Australia (formerly Righteous Pups Bendigo) is a not for profit organisation with a mission to raise, socialize and train Autism Assistance Dogs to do a variety of practical tasks for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and their families.

Through YPN's affiliation with RPA we managed to raise over $3000 and place three dogs in training with foster families.

To see what you can do visit: www.righteouspups.org.au

BENDIGO EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR SLEEPOUT (BEDS)

In 2010 Chairperson David Hughes slept out in the cold for homelessness. Dave, along with 140 other people braved the cold and helped contribute over $60,000 to St Luke's work for youth homelessness. Congrats to Dave and all the participants!