One of the highlights of the Concern Australia year is our end-of-year picnic where we thank our live-in mentors for the support they provide young people in our Inside Out program. Hosted by the Inside Out team, it is an opportunity to have fun and build community.
Our mentors support young people on their journey from state care to independence, providing positive role models and complementing the work of our staff team. Mentors are diverse in age, careers and backgrounds. Many have migrated to Australia and this lived experience (of building life in a new place) can provide great modelling to young people as they are learning to navigate adult responsibilities.
Each year we award the Corey Lancaster Award, named in honour of a much-valued former mentor. This year we were delighted to present it to mentor Hilary for his outstanding commitment to creating positive futures for young people. In presenting the Award, General Manager Andrea Greenwood spoke of all the ways in which Hilary has been a powerful role model and gentle, patient support to young people in the Inside Out program.
Our volunteer mentors make such a difference in the lives of young people as they help them prepare for the future. If you would like to know more about this role, please see the Inside Program page on our website: Inside Out – Concern Australia
