RYN 2.0 – Building Support and Resilience with Mentoring and Connecting
Youthrive Victoria is proud to have been running a successful transition and career mentoring program for young rural school leavers for 10 years …
We are looking to respond to the challenges presented this year. The impact of isolation and the dislocation and changes have revealed an urgent need to focus on wellbeing and particularly mental health. We aim to create new ways to help rural young people to connect, share and learn together.
We are developing the next stage of the Rural Youth Network (RYN2.0) which will incorporate expanding our existing mentoring program (any post-school young person can apply for a mentor); expanding the Branch Out Buddies program for VCE and VCAL students and developing a new model of connecting people.
The new additions to the Rural Youth Network will allow young rural people to connect via interest, region, education and work. This expansion aims to build a sense of community and connection between young rural people to provide them with opportunities, knowledge and support which they may be lacking and may have been exacerbated by Covid-19.
The Branch-out Buddies Program, facilitated by Nick Young (Associate Director of Youthrive Victoria), will be introduced to more rural schools in Victoria in the upcoming months to ensure VCAL and VCE students feel supported through their transition into life beyond secondary school. Former students will offer group mentoring support and transition information.
If you wish to be a mentor or mentee please sign-up here or to get involved with the development of the mentoring program or Branch Out Buddies email us.
We have a wonderful volunteer alumni team developing RYN2.0, making use of their lived experience and strong external research that has been produced both prior to and during Covid-19.
We are seeking grants and partnerships to help take our successful prototypes to the next level. Can you help us create this network for our young rural people through company sponsorship, personal donation or pro-bono work? Please contact Maryann Brown or call 0439 463 333 to discuss the opportunities.