When 60-year-old nurse Kate Sloan read an article in the local Warrnambool paper about MacKillop Family Services looking for volunteer mentors, it was a story she just could not ignore.
Having raised and mentored her own children through the sometimes tough and turbulent years of teenage-hood, Kate wanted to share some of her knowledge and experience by mentoring a young person in the local community.
“I am a big believer in the power of mentoring to help improve the wellbeing of young people. I realised I could be a helpful guide, friend and positive role model and I wanted to support and encourage a young person in foster care”.
MacKillop’s volunteer mentor program started as a pilot program in South West Victoria to connect children and young people under the age of 18 with mentors who will engage them through similar hobbies, interests, or job skills. The program is now flourishing as is the relationship between Kate and her mentee.
After completing her mentor training, Kate was matched with Millie*, a teenage girl who Kate remarked, “unlike many other foster children is lucky to have had only one foster family”. Despite the relative consistency of care, as she was getting older, she needed an adult who was open to giving advice and lending support unconditionally - someone who was willing to get to know her, give her attention, see the best in her, and be a stable force.
I am an extra adult that Millie can rely on, I am dependable, keep to my word, and I am never late. I am modelling positive, reliable behaviour.
Kate has enjoyed getting to know Millie and acknowledges that the teenage years are different since her children were the same age. “I find it so interesting to hear of issues especially around social media that just didn’t exist when my kids were young. I am learning to support her through these challenges and be a reliable adult that can be counted on to help navigate through these sometimes-tough situations”. This has brought its own challenges, as Kate continued, “some of the conversations are confronting for me, especially how open Millie is about her relationships”.
They now see each other once a month and Millie comes out for lunch, takes walks, and goes to the movies with Kate and her family. And they both share a great love for dogs.
Kate is enthusiastic about her relationship with Millie, “she really is a great kid, she is terrific. I am just happy to be a consistent support and there when she needs me most, and also for all the fun moments in between”.
This month we celebrated National Volunteer Week and all the volunteers that support children to connect to their community, have new experiences and be safe.
*Name changed to protect privacy.
