The YMCA is looking for volunteers for its Plusone Mentoring program.
It assists with early interventions and engages youth to help overcome challenges they’re facing.
Support Worker Hannah Lapointe says, “Youth between the ages of ten and 17, are referred to us through different community partners, through the school system, social development or the RCMP. They are sent to us based on a variety of risk factors, or maybe challenging behaviours they are exhibiting. Maybe they just need a little bit of extra support.”
She says the effects of the pandemic on mental health has meant more youth are looking for help, ” We do have a bit of an extensive waitlist of youth who are waiting for a mentor. To go in line with that, we just have seen a bit of a dip in volunteers coming through the doors because the pandemic has changed all of our lives.”
Mentors must be available two hours once a week for around a year.
Program facilitators will match volunteer mentors with youth based on similar interests.
The Plusone program is run out of both YMCA of Greater Moncton locations and just recently completed a five-year pilot through federal funding.
The pilot went very well with numerous matches and many success stories.
Anyone who is interested in volunteering with the Plusone Program can contact LaPointe at : 506-381-3598 or by email: hannah.lapointe@ymcamoncton.ca
