Power of Programs: Young Women's Program

General Info

YWCA of Adelaide empowers young women with the skills and knowledge to achieve their dreams.  The YWCA of Adelaide promotes and provides a range of opportunities for young women to develop and exercise their leadership and life skills.

Mentoring

Two Degrees of Separation (2DS) is a project offering mentoring support to young women (16-30 years) from a variety of backgrounds. 2DS aims to develop skills and knowledge and enhance the young women’s success in work and life.

This project has been funded through the Foundation for Young Australians, the Rotary Club of Adelaide and YWCA of Adelaide - it is driven by young women who identified the need to overcome barriers affecting young professional women in South Australia. A mentor assists in the growth and development of another person whilst also benefiting from the relationship.

A mentor can fill one or more of the roles of teacher, coach, role model, adviser, leader, supporter, friend and challenger.

2DS is a formal way of building mentoring relationships which supports the recruitment, training and matching of mentors and mentees.

Phase One of the program has seen young women work together on an advisory committee to consult with other young women to explore mentoring models and develop a mentoring program.

Phase Two of the program began in 2008, consisting of 1:1 mentoring and Café style mentoring. One to one mentoring entails matching mentors and mentees, who are trained and supported over a period of time. Café style mentoring facilitates the engagement of South Australian Business Women with young professional women through guest speaking engagements at informal café style meetings. Café sessions offer the young women opportunities to gain knowledge, build relationships with successful women in business and other sectors in SA, and develop networks with other professional young women.

2009: 2DS continues in 2009 with more 1:1 mentoring matches and more Café style mentoring sessions. Sincere thanks to Rotary who selected YWCA of Adelaide to be the beneficiary of its 2008 Trailblazer fundraising. These funds ensure 2DS lives on.

How you can get involved:

1. If you are a young woman (16-30 years) interested in having a mentor through the Two Degrees of Separation program please register your interest.
2. To volunteer as a mentor and build a positive relationship with a young woman in South Australia please register your interest.
3. To be a guest speaker or to attend a Café session please let us know your interest.

If you would like to get involved, or to find out more, please contact Deborah Fehler on 8203 9400 or via email deborah.fehler@ywca.com.au.

Training

Sassy and Savvy is a program to support young women to be a member of a Board. We provide a free workshop held over two evenings which gives an overview of:

• the skills and knowledge young women bring to a board
• benefits of board membership for young women
• how boards work
• legal obligations of board members
• effective communication skills for board members

The workshop is designed for young women aged 16-30 years but is also open for other women (at a small cost).  The board training will give you the chance to learn what you need to know about being a board member on a government board or a community organisation board.

For more information please call Deborah Fehler on 8203 9400 or email deborah.fehler@ywca.com.au

Young Women Elist

Are you a South Australian-based young woman who wants the latest information on how to get more involved in your local and global community? The YWCA provides a weekly email update to young women and those who work with young people about events and opportunities available to young women across the YWCA as well as women's, human rights and social justice arenas. The content ranges from activities and workshops run by the YWCA and other agencies through to opportunities such as grants, internships and employment.

 

To join the e-list simply contact Deborah Fehler deborah.fehler@ywca.com.au and enter "add me to the ywca young women's e-list" to the subject.

For Further information on the Young Women’s Program:

Deborah Fehler Project Officer - Young Women
YWCA of Adelaide
Address: 17 Hutt Street Adelaide, South Australia
Phone: +61 8 8203 9400 phone
Fax: +61 8 8203 9498 fax
Email: deborah.fehler@ywca.com.au

 

Past programs

Theatre Work
In conjunction with Purr Productions, the YWCA of Adelaide ran theatre workshops that culminated in a performance for young women 16-30 years old. Participants learned theatre skills as a means for personal discovery, explored women's issues, met new people and had fun. The program comprised10 weekly workshops, run on weeknights.

Website development was funded by the
Mental Health Council of Australia