Townsville Mentoring Programs Taking Off

Townsville Bulletin October 21, 2024 (Subscription required)

Veteran Townsville educator Meredith Wenta believes a mentoring program for the region’s young and long-term unemployed is having success, unlike any other program she’s seen in her more than 40 years in education and community service. 

Wenta, who retired as executive principal from Kirwan State High School in 2021, is now active as a program facilitator and mentor in local programs run by the Inspiring Brighter Futures Foundation in conjunction with local schools and employment services. 

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. 

 The Onwards & Upwards school well-being mentoring program has been delivered in the Townsville community since February last year and in 2024 has been run at Heatley Secondary College, Pimlico State High School, and Townsville State High School, and will be introduced to Northern Beaches State High School, EREA Flexi Schools and possibly Ignatius Park College in 2025. 12-day mentoring programs are also being delivered over four weeks for long-term unemployed in Townsville.  

Since the programs began at Heatley last year and with the addition of Pimlico and Townsville SHS, there have been 74 graduates out of 81 initial starters from the 8-session Onwards & Upwards wellbeing mentoring program and over 190 participants in the IBFF workshops and experiences. 

“My passion in education was getting young people to understand themselves first so they can understand their own needs and aspirations,” Wenta said.

“Having them work out what their values are, where they come from, who their role models are is really important.  

“This mentoring program is unique and so powerful in my view. It’s a rare opportunity for someone who is disengaged to spend some time in this positive environment with a mentor whose sole purpose is to support them. 

“Attributes the 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.” 

Wenta is also a mentor with the Onwards & Upwards to a Job program and is witnessing first-hand how it increases participants’ self-esteem and confidence.  

“We’re seeing continued success with this program too — getting people in touch with who they are, what drives them, and what matters to them,” she said. 

 “We need more mentors to get involved and are receiving support from local organisations and businesses. Participants always talk about the role their mentor has played in these courses.” 

 Inspiring Brighter Futures Foundation founder and CEO John Godwin said the success of the program wouldn’t be possible without local supporters and mentors like Meredith Wenta and Taylor Brunton who also facilitates the Dream Believe Achieve program from Cowboy House.  

 Other organisations and supporters include: Healthia – My Foot Dr and North Queensland Physiotherapy Centre, Honeycombes Property Group, A Gabrielli Constructions, Queensland Country Bank, Tyre Max and Red Rooster Fairfield. In addition, Dolan Hayes, Graham Cotter, the Barrier Reef Lions Club, 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
21 Oct 2024
Author: Natasha Emeck
Article type: Publication
Page: 5