Father Figures for Moss Vale's Fatherless
Fathers’ Day is quickly approaching and a thought must go out for those without a father figure in their life. Thanks to the ‘Mentoring to Manhood’ project, local boys in the Moss Vale community will experience Fathers’ Day with a different perspective this year.
‘Mentoring to Manhood’ is an ANGLICARE and Wingecarribee Health Association for Men (WHAM) project, based in Moss Vale. The project offers boys without a stable father figure the opportunity to learn from and spend time with positive male role models in the Southern Highlands.
Boys in years nine and ten from Moss Vale High School that are missing a father figure are encouraged to attend the program, which runs every Monday at the Moss Vale Community Garden. The mentors come and help the boys build sheds, plant food crops and weed garden beds, followed by the chance to socialise over lunch.
ANGLICARE’s Community Garden Coordinator, Jill Cockram, says the ‘Mentoring to Manhood’ program is meeting a real need for boys in the Southern Highlands.
“In previous years we’ve had high youth suicide rates, so we wanted boys who may have been feeling sad and confused about the absence of a father figure, to know that they are still loved and needed. We want to build their confidence and life skills,” Ms Cockram said.
The program brings together WHAM, ANGLICARE, Moss Vale High School and the Moss Vale TAFE, which provides mentoring training for the men who volunteer their time to the program.
Ms Cockram says the boys’ involvement in the Community Garden has been great for the locals and something that could not have been achieved without the willpower of WHAM Chairman, Peter Van Dort and the support of the IMB Community Foundation and the Wingecarribee Council Resource Recovery Centre.
“The program has been great for all involved, but it has also been warmly welcomed by the community. Locals are pleased to see the garden being cared for and maintained”.
“This program has been held together by Mr Van Dort’s determination and heart to see the boys develop into strong and confident men. We are really keen to see this program continue in the community, however the current funding for the program is diminishing quickly,” Ms Cockram said.
ANGLICARE’s Coordinator of Community Care in the Southern Highlands, Matthew Harden, says the ‘Mentoring to Manhood’ project is life changing for the young men involved.
“The project helps to build positive relationships and skill up young fellas. The project is not solely about male bonding and role modelling but it is also about preparing the boys for the future; marriage, employment and even building and supporting their own family,” Matthew Harden said.
Members of the community and local businesses who would like to support the ‘Mentoring to Manhood’ project are invited to make donations to it through either ANGLICARE or WHAM.
Men interested in becoming a mentor are encouraged to attend the Mentoring in the Community course at Moss Vale TAFE, which will be held in October over five weeks, one day a week.
For more information or to make a donation to the program please contact Matthew Harden on 02 4868 1780
