Mentor program expanding to support at-risk youth in Townsville

Townsville Bulletin March 20, 2024 (Subscription required)

An eight-week mentoring program making a difference in the lives of at-risk youth and long-term unemployed has been the focus at a function in Townsville bringing together community leaders, volunteers and mentees.

The Onwards & Upwards well-being mentoring program has been delivered in the Townsville community since February last year and in 2024 will be run at Heatley Secondary College and Townsville State High School as well four 12-day programs over four weeks with long-term unemployed in Townsville.

Onwards & Upwards is the flagship self-development program from the Inspiring Brighter Futures Foundation created to support young people and adults in need.

Through one-on-one mentoring the program works to inspire participants to imagine, plan and achieve a more satisfying, balanced and brighter future.

Over eight weeks, participants undertake a personal development and mentoring program that uncovers and embraces their values as an individual and takes a deep dive into their wellbeing, motivation, resilience and accountability.

Inspiring Brighter Futures Foundation founder and CEO John Godwin said the Foundation is actively looking for more mentors and supporters to continue the successful programs in Townsville.

“We’re thrilled with the results so far in Townsville where we’re achieving improvement in many areas for the Year 10 students undertaking the program,” Godwin said.

“Attributes mentors work with the students in developing include – outlook on life, motivation to succeed, engagement with school, developing trusting relationships with adults, setting and achieving goals, and positive relationships with peers and teachers.”

A function to support the programs was held in Townsville on Tuesday 19th March.

Godwin said the function enabled the gathering of like-minded people from the Townsville community from business, education, wellbeing support services for youth, and community leaders to collaborate and work together to continue funding and rolling out the Onwards & Upwards program as a part of a fuller youth welfare solution.

“We are looking to expand the program in this region and are in discussions with Northern Beaches State High School and three other schools and centres working with at-risk Year 9 and 10 students helping them to become leaders,” Godwin said.

Community contributions and mentors

John Godwin said the success of the program wouldn’t be possible without local supporters and mentors including Taylor Brunton who facilitates the Dream Believe Achieve program from Cowboy House. Meredith Wenta is an Onwards & Upwards program facilitator and mentor and the former Kirwan State High School principal.

Other organisations and supporters include: Healthia – My Foot Dr and North Queensland Physiotherapy Centre, Honeycombes Property Group, Queensland Country Bank, Tyre Max and Red Rooster Fairfield. In addition, Graham Cotter and Allan Church and the Sunrise Rotary Community have been very active in developing local networks and mentors.

Godwin says the Foundation is looking for new local mentors and financial support which is fully tax deductible.

Townsville Bulletin
20 Mar 2024
Author: Natasha Emeck
Article type: Publication
Page: 6