A Wyndham mentoring program will get $340,000 to support disadvantaged youth, as part of almost $1 million delivered to community organisations across Victoria.

Jill Hennessy MP, Member for Altona District, today announced that Jeanieboy’s Dream Catchers Academy was one of eight grant recipients.

Dream Catchers is a mentoring program that inspires and empowers disadvantaged and disaffected teenage girls through a wide-ranging, netball-centred set of workshops.  Dream Catchers runs in seven zones across Victoria, including Wyndham, and is a holistic netball program that develops girls’ health, wellbeing, self-esteem, leadership skills, physical fitness and mental resilience.

Eight community organisations will share in almost $1 million in grant money to fund nine mentoring programs across Victoria targeting disadvantaged youth.

The grants are part of the Andrews Labor Government’s commitment to provide $1.6 million to support mentoring of disadvantaged Victorian youth.

A further $600,000 will be provided to support high-achieving tertiary students mentoring secondary school students.

The Victorian Government is committed to building the Education State and ensuring no student is left behind, no matter their circumstances. These grants will help ensure that every Victorian child has the opportunity to succeed – in learning and in life.

The mentor grants will help more students excel in reading, maths, sciences and the arts, develop strong critical and creative thinking, build resilience, and stay in education longer – all key Education State targets.

Quotes from Minister for Education James Merlino:

“The Victorian Government is investing almost $4 billion to make Victoria the Education State so every child gets the chance at a great education.”

“These grants will mean more disadvantaged Victorian students can get the mentoring support they need to engage and excel at school, build lifelong resilience, and have the opportunity to succeed – at learning and at life.”

Quotes from Member for Altona District, Jill Hennessy:

“I am thrilled to see the Dream Catchers Academy get the grant funding it needs to run its mentoring program in the Wyndham community, and I know many young women will benefit from the support of this fantastic team.”

“Building the Education State means ensuring every child and young person across Melbourne’s West gets every opportunity at a great education, no matter their circumstances.”