SISTER2sister was a youth mentoring program in 2018 which provided integrated, holistic, trauma-informed mentoring and education to vulnerable teenage girls. Supported by the Duffield-Thomas Family Fund (held with the Fremantle Foundation).
EMPOWERING TEENAGED GIRLS
Early intervention program which combined the benefits of:
- one-on-one mentoring,
- monthly life skills workshops focusing on core underlying issues such as self-esteem, resilience, anxiety, anger management, trauma and health,
- opportunities designed to challenge the girls, encouraging them to step out of their comfort zones and tap into their limitless potential.⠀
Paired 35 at-risk teenage girls with a Big Sister Mentors – empowering them to overcome life’s challenges and reach their full potential. Skills and tools learned:
- Demonstrate positive risk management skills to assist them to deal with their past trauma, circumstances and mental health issues
- Live in a safe environment with support
- Become financially secure through retaining employment and studying
- Maintain survival skills independently
- Demonstrate high self-worth
- Attract and maintain positive friendships and relationships
- Have a sense of belonging and social inclusion
At the end of the year-long SISTER2sister mentoring program, the girls had the tools and support to break the cycle of deeply entrenched inter-generational societal issues including unemployment/poverty, addiction, and lack of education, domestic violence, abuse/neglect and unplanned teenage pregnancy.
Now the program is complete 95% of mentors continue to support their mentees.
The SISTER2sister mentoring program continues to support mentees beyond graduation. Little Sisters have ongoing access to the Butterfly Support program which is a wraparound service linking girls in to additional support services in the community as needed e.g. emergency accommodation, legal aid and counselling services.
Access to the Butterfly Opportunity Program which offers mathematics/IT scholarships, work experience, apprenticeships, employment and much more.
Design Practices: Identity 