The Youville Centre Mentorship Program has two components; one-to-one mentoring and a monthly Lunch and Learn Speaker’s Series, sponsored by Famous5 and TD Bank.
The one-to-one mentoring, is offered to interested Youville Centre clients who are ready for a mentor/mentee relationship. Once a month, mentor/mentee matches enjoy meeting for lunch offsite. Clients build relationships and receive encouragement from their mentors. This school year, we have 12 matched pairs participating in the program.
Volunteer mentors are pre-screened, trained and have clear criminal reference checks, and are matched carefully with a mentee by our multi-disciplinary team. If you are interested in becoming a mentor, please contact us at communications@youvillecentre.org for more information.
An amazing “full circle” moment this year; two Youville alumnae, Amanda and Lee, are participating in the program as Mentors! Amanda and Lee, both graduates from the Centre’s Class of 2004, have remained close friends over the years, and reached out to be a part of this program, as a way to give back.
Lee, has been a full time Construction Coordinator for Claridge Homes for the last 5 years; previous to that she was an Administrative Assistant for a property maintenance company. Lee graduated from Algonquin College twice, once as an Electronics Engineering Technologist in 2007, and then for a dual diploma in Legal and Executive Administration in 2012.
Lee pictured in 2004 with her oldest daughter; Lexus.
Lee is pictured now, with her four daughters ranging from 6-15 years.
Lee identified that her goal as a mentor, is “Maybe I can help make the transition from teen mom in high school, to post-secondary, then adult life, easier for someone else.” Lee also says that “Youville Centre is not only a school, not just a daycare; 15 years later it’s so much more than the gift of education in the face of adversity that was offered to me, it came with the unforeseen gift of life-long friendships!”
Amanda, now a Store Planner for Farm Boy for the last year, has also worked as a draftsperson for Annis O’Sullivain Vollebekk Ontario Land Surveyors and for Davis Group designing custom homes. She graduated from two programs at Algonquin College, first in 2007 from a one year General Arts & Science: Pre-Design and in 2012 from a 3 year Architectural Technology Program.
Amanda said “I am interested in being a mentor because I would like to help and give back to the school that did so much for me when I went there. I think this mentorship program is a really good thing and could help a lot of young mothers and give them the support they need.”
Amanda is pictured here with her husband, and her two children, daughter aged 15 and 3 year old son.
Amanda pictured in 2004 with her oldest daughter; Brianna.
Our successful monthly Lunch and Learn Speaker’s Series takes place with support from Famous5 Ottawa and TD Bank. Women from the community are chosen to speak to our young mothers on a variety of topics while everyone enjoys a delicious lunch. This opportunity is aimed at inspiring our pregnant and parenting adolescent mothers with stories of hope and encouragement.
October’s guest speaker was Mabz Brisson, owner & hand lettering artist of Chalked by Mabz. She spoke to the students about her entrepreneur journey, and some life lessons along the way. You can see her amazing work at www.chalkedbymabz.com.
For more information about this program, please contact us at programs@youvillecentre.org.
We appreciate everyone who invests time in this program. Your work, makes an immeasurable difference in the lives of our young mothers and their children.