E-Mentor Program
Helping teens with disabilities to 'reconnect'
- proudly supported by the Telstra Foundation
Introduction
Teenagers living with disabilities can often find themselves feeling lonely and socially isolated. But thanks to some generous support from the Telstra Foundation, Novita Children’s Services is now reaching out to these teens through the new E-Mentor Program!
About the program…
The E-Mentor Program aims to connect teenagers with disabilities with their peers and the wider community through specially-trained Novita ‘E-Mentors’, who will help them develop the skills, knowledge and motivation they need to participate fully and successfully in their personal, academic and professional lives.
Novita’s E-Mentor Program takes an innovative approach to the traditional mentoring model, encouraging mentors and teens to ‘connect’ in a variety of ways – including via phone, SMS, email, letters, internet forums and face-to-face. These various communication options ensure teens with any disability, in any location, have full access to the program
Which teenagers are eligible for the program?
The program will initially focus on Novita clients aged between 13 and 18 who are living with Acquired Brain Injuries. The program will then be extended to include all Novita clients aged between 13 and 18.
This program is particularly helpful for teens living in rural communities, where social isolation can be compounded by their remote location.
What is an ‘E-Mentor’?
Novita’s E-Mentor Program provides teenagers living with disabilities with the opportunity to link with an appropriate ‘E-Mentor’ who has volunteered their time to form a mentor relationship.
E-Mentors are specially trained to help teens improve their self esteem, better their relationships with family and friends and gain access to innovative communication techniques to increase their social and independent living skills. Novita staff then ‘match’ E-Mentors with teenagers based on the qualities each teen is looking for in a mentor.
The degree and frequency of contact between E-Mentors and teens is determined by each developing mentorship.
Who can become an E-Mentor?
Novita’s E-Mentors are members of the community who have donated their time to form supportive mentorships with Novita teenagers. E-Mentors can come from a range of backgrounds – from youth workers, teachers and former Novita clients to those who just want to make a difference to a young life.
E-Mentors are volunteers of Novita Children’s Services and are required to meet all policy and procedural requirements of the organisation, which include (but are not limited to) securing a National Police Clearance and undertaking training in Child Safe Environments and mentoring.
Want to become an E-Mentor? Novita needs you!
Novita’s E-Mentor Program is now on the lookout for suitable people to become E-Mentors. If you’d like to donate your time to help a Novita teen reach their full potential, please contact us today!
A word from the Telstra Foundation
Telstra Foundation Chairman, Herb Elliott, AC, MBE, says Novita’s E-Mentor Program is a terrific example of how technology can make a positive and lasting difference to young Australians.
‘This program fits perfectly with the Telstra Foundation’s objective of connecting children and young people to their communities, through the innovative use of information and communication technologies,’ Mr Elliott says.
‘We are thrilled to be providing $217,000 in funding over three years to support this inventive and essential new program.’
Further information
For more information about Novita’s E-Mentor Program and becoming an E-Mentor, please contact the E-Mentor Project Officer on 1800 337 443 or click here to send them an online message.
Click here to read the related media release.