So you hear about Youth Crime every night on TV. You hear about Australia leading the world in the Youth Suicide statistics (according to the ABS (abs.gov.au), in 2022, in Australia a total of 3,249 suicides were recorded, of which 10.2% were aged 19 and lower, the vast bulk 14 –19). Yes, way more than twice the number that were killed in motor vehicle accidents. Not even mentioning kids who feel disengaged, bullied, who feel they have no future. What is being done about it?Since Rotary is strictly non-political, it is not within the scope of this article to find out what is being done (or not done) by government. But what a breath of fresh air: Cindy briefed us this morning on what her private organisation, the Raise Foundation, very effectively is doing about this: Early Intervention.
Working with High Schools, the concept is to pair individual youths who are considered to be at risk with an adult mentor from her organisation.
What is required to be a mentor? Other than the obvious attributes and attitude, you need to be available for 2 hours every week (at the same time), for 20 weeks (during school times). Full training is provided. Why not ask for an Info Session? Click here. Or view their very informative website.
You can download Cindy’s PowerPoint presentation, on which all the major points are listed, from our Download Section on the right. (Photo: Cindy Donald with our meeting chairman Trent Belling (left) and President Andy Bell)