Happy Brain Education’s Mentoring Program aims to empower students from a refugee background and support their learning and growth. We are firm believers that young people, no matter their circumstance or background can and do make a difference. Through our program, we hope to empower young people with the skills, connections and knowledge so that they are able to achieve their best and create meaningful change in their communities.
Create an inspired and connected community of young people
Foster a supportive and safe learning environment that promotes personal growth and education
Empower students from refugee backgrounds to achieve their potential
Why Mentor?
Being a mentor provides a unique opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life. The mentees benefit from this opportunity to improve their communication skills, build their confidence and increase their sense of connectedness. Newly arrived to Australia, this extra one on one support is invaluable in assisting students navigate the Australian schooling system and beyond. Mentoring encompasses:
• Connection building
• Guidance and support
• Career Planning
• Sharing knowledge and experience
• Positive role modelling
“The best thing about mentoring is getting to know a family rather than simply discussing abstractions with a brain in a classroom. It’s also fun meeting people from places I’ve never visited who speak languages I’d like to learn. Whenever I’ve been overseas for an extended period, I’ve been befriended by generous souls who have shown me a good time, and I’d like to keep working to realise the hope that we do the same for newcomers to Australia”.
“The most memorable moments for me have been watching my mentee slowly develop confidence in her own abilities and knowing that I may have helped her in some way to get there!”
“I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know my mentee and their family over the years and seeing our relationship and bond flourish is a truly wonderful thing. I would definitely encourage others to be mentors because the work we do can add so much value to people’s lives. To be someone that others can trust and rely on is an incredible thing.”
As part of the program, it is expected that you catch up with your mentee for a minimum of 8 sessions over a course of 12 months. Mentors and students arrange sessions based on their own availability at a time and place convenient to you both. We encourage you to aim to schedule sessions fortnightly or monthly, but ultimately it is quite flexible and dependent on both of your availability. Sessions can be less frequent during exam time or school holidays.
Sessions are held at a location agreed upon by both the mentee and mentor. This may be a mentee’s home, school, public library etc.
We encourage mentors to attend sessions face to face where possible as this helps with building rapport and connection with the mentee. However, online sessions may be used when face to face sessions are difficult to arrange, provided the mentee is comfortable with online sessions.
As our students are predominantly in their year 11 and 12, knowledge of the VCE system is strongly favoured. This will ensure that you can support your students in navigating the school system thorugh setting study plans and balancing their studies and personal lives. This will also ensure that you can support them in the VTAC applications and exploring their post-secondary options.
No, previous mentoring experience is not a requirement. However, any previous mentoring, volunteering, leadership experience or community work will be highly regarded in your application. All mentors undergo an induction prior to commencing the program.
| Intake | |
|---|---|
| Mentee Application Open | 01/10/2025 |
| Mentee Application Close | 01/12/2025 |
| Mentor Application Open | 01/10/2025 |
| Mentor Application Close | 23/11/2025 |
The Mentoring Program is for young people from refugee backgrounds aged between 12-21.
Refugee background refers to someone who has arrived in Australia as a refugee or is currently a person seeking asylum. We offer mentoring to all people who sought or are seeking refuge from harm in Australia, no matter what stage of the refugee determination process this person is currently experiencing (including the appeals process).
Most of our mentees are referred to us by case managers working with newly arrived refugees/people seeking asylum in the community. If you have a client who you think will benefit from the Mentoring Program, please complete the referral form below.
