Mentor program under threat

A voluntary mentoring program aimed at students from the Brisbane Water Secondary College Woy Woy Campus thinking of leaving school is under threat due to funding cuts, according to mentor Ms Lynne Lillico.

Ms Lillico of Pearl Beach said the future of the Plan-It Youth program was in danger due to State Government funding cuts planned for the next three years.

She said the funding was vital in providing salary costs for two coordinators.

"From July 1, this year we will only have one coordinator on the program and at the end of three years all funding will cease," Ms Lillico said.

"Plan-it Youth is a mentoring program for young people who are thinking about leaving school.

"It is a model for linking community members with young people who may need extra support in the transition from school to work or from school to further education.

"Plan-it Youth is a school based program and runs from 10 to 12 weeks.

"Mentors, who are volunteers, are matched to a student and work one on one with their student in the school for approximately one hour per week.

"The program is in jeopardy as the NSW Education Department has decided to cut funding over the next three years.

"I have been a mentor with the program for the past five years and the proposed funding cuts which will eventually dry-up will mean the loss of departmental coordinators who are necessary to manage the program and maintain linkage with the schools and mentors.

"My experiences and those of my mentor colleagues at Woy Woy Senior Campus confirm that the work we do to assist students by offering them advice, support, sharing life experiences and guidance is fundamental for some students in identifying their skills, interests and strengths."

Press release, 10 Jun 2009 Lynne Lillico, Plan-It Youth program