Meal to aid mentor program

NON-profit mentor program Big Brothers Big Sisters Ballarat staff are preparing a special offering for the community.

This weekend, the Art Gallery of Ballarat will serve as the backdrop for a lunch by Mr Jones Dining.

The event is aimed at raising funds for Big Brothers Big Sisters Ballarat, which pairs young people with mentors to foster friendship and community connection.

BBBS Ballarat mentoring and project coordinator Jodie Downey said the event will offer a fun outing to the community while giving back to a worthy cause.

“There’ll be live music provided, and the menu will be a Thai fusion banquet from Damien Jones and his team.

“It’s a pretty unique event, and we want to also draw the parallels of mentoring as a really special thing for young people, and a unique experience for the mentors involved.”

Jones will present about the impact of mentoring on his career, while Wadawurrung Traditional Owner Shannen Mennen will also speak on its importance in Indigenous culture following a Welcome to Country.

Psychologist, Sarah Rowe will present on mentoring and wellbeing, while participants in the BBBS program will also share their experiences.

The number of children on the waiting list for the organisation’s mentor program has grown from more than 50 in January to more than 160.

Ms Downey estimated it costs $3700 to pair a mentor with a mentee through the BBBS program, and said there’s a growing need for mentors for young people.

“We’re getting referrals all the time. Whenever there’s issues like cost of living, and stress in families, young people often feel that intensely,” she said.

“Over 40 per cent of our referrals are due to family violence, and those children need support.”

The lunch will take place in the Oddie Room from 12.30pm on Sunday 15 September.

Tickets are $95 individually or $180 per couple and can be booked at bit.ly/4dQEzeH before 5pm today.