In 2022, MacKillop Family Services secured a three-year grant from the Anthony Costa Foundation to partner with Geelong-based Aboriginal youth-led organisation, Strong Brother Strong Sister, to develop an Aboriginal youth mentoring program supporting our Indigenous young people living in out of home care.
The partnership ensures all children and young people can access a mentor who supports them to make cultural connections, strengthen pride in their identity and create a sense of belonging. The mentor program acknowledges the unique experience of intergenerational trauma caused by colonisation and policies such as the removal of Aboriginal children from families leading to the stolen generation. It also recognises the healing power of culture.
The overrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in child protection services across Australia is significant. This overrepresentation is particularly pronounced in the Barwon region, where around one in three of the children and young people we support in care are Indigenous.
Last year, the mentoring program supported 25 young people with almost 1,080 mentoring hours, and which saw young people participating in youth group activities and school holiday programs.
One participant, Nick* said, “Culture to Aboriginal young people is integral to our wellbeing. It provides connection, strength, identity, healing, and learning.”
*Name changed to protect privacy
