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Our History

New networks, new understanding, new friends, new challenges and fun!  Plan-it Youth is a story about individuals voluntarily taking action and getting involved. The community is being brought together through a mutual interest in supporting young people. It is an ongoing story about community spirit, cooperation and contribution.

Milestones

2002

NSW Department of Education and Training introduced Plan-it Youth to high schools in Lake Macquarie and Raymond Terrace

Early partners contributed to rapid growth and significant success in the early stages. Local partners included Glendale TAFE Outreach, Newcastle City Mission (Best Options Mentoring), Lake Macquarie Youth Network and NSW Active Retirees and Mentors Inc.

2003

Community support was strong and enquiries flowed from schools for mentors to support other age groups and other student needs. Resources were stretched and there were many opinions about purpose and direction. Mentors, teachers, students and sponsors worked together to create the Vision and Values for Plan-it Youth Lake Macquarie. This later became the foundation for Plan-it Youth Hunter

2004

Lake Macquarie mentors supported an ‘Outreach’ program to Muswellbrook High School. The pilot clarified the training, roles and support required for ‘rural’ or ‘distant’ schools and communities

Plan-it Youth mentors awarded Lake Macquarie Australia Day Community Group of the Year

2005

Lake Macquarie became the cornerstone for the new Plan-it Youth Hunter. Other Hunter schools with similar mentoring programs joined the network

Plan-it Youth Hunter mentors hosted a useful and relevant 3 day NSW Mentors’ Conference with NSW Active Retirees and Mentors Inc.

2006

Plan-it Youth Hunter management structures were reorganised to reflect the strong community partnerships between schools, community and business

2007

      Plan-it Youth Hunter launches a website!

2008

Plan-it Youth's first 'photo competition'

       Plan-it Youth Hunter hosted a Mentor Development forum to understand a little more of the journey of        Refugee Students, Aboriginal Students & their needs
       Pilot workshop ‘Get the Job, Keep the Job’ at Belmont HS for Year 9

2009

Plan-it Youth Hunter and Plan-it Youth Central Coast become one region - 'Plan-it Youth Hunter Central Coast'

Three Plan-it Youth students were each awarded $3000 scholarships to assist them to achieve their educational goals

Hong Kong Delegates Visit Plan-it Youth - A group of six delegates from the Hong Kong Council of Social Service arrived in Newcastle to study two different mentoring programs in our region.

2010

July - Plan-it Youth Hunter Central Coast Regional Conference at Morisset

August - Two Project Officers are appointed. One for the Central Coast region (2 days per week) one for the Hunter region (4 days per week)

 

 

 

 

Key future challenges:

  • Attracting new volunteers and increasing the pool of active mentors.
  • Financial support to continue
  • Building business partnerships
  • Encouraging business involvement by allowing their employees paid release time to train and mentor in their local schools.
 
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