A generous donation from Findex’s Stawell office will help Central Grampians LLEN (CGLLEN) provide mentors to more students across Ararat Rural City and the Northern Grampians Shire.
The financial advisory and accounting firm recently selected CGLLEN’s MATES Mentoring program to receive $1,000 through the Findex Community Fund.
MATES operates at 12 schools in Stawell, Ararat, Pomonal, Concongella, Marnoo and Buangor, matching nominated students with volunteer mentors from the community. Mentors visit a student at their school for one hour each fortnight, during school hours, to help them build social connections, boost their self-confidence and work towards personal goals.
CGLLEN Executive Officer, Jane Moriarty said Findex’s donation would support mentor recruitment across the Northern Grampians Shire.
“Over the past four years, our MATES program has expanded from three pilot schools to 12 schools across the Northern Grampians Shire and Ararat. Demand for the program continues to grow and we are in desperate need of more mentors to provide support and friendship to students who could use a positive model in their lives,” Ms Moriarty said.
“We are extremely grateful to the team at Findex’s Stawell office for recognising the work we are doing in the local community and providing us with financial assistance to boost our mentor recruitment campaign. We are already looking at a number of strategies to promote MATES to a wider audience and attract additional volunteers.”
Ms Moriarty said the funding would also contribute to resource development and the purchase of additional program materials.
“To help students and mentors bond during their catch ups, we supply all our participating schools with a MATES Activity Box. Thanks to the Findex Community Fund, we will be able to add some more games, books, puzzles and craft supplies to ensure MATES is a fun experience for all our participants,” Ms Moriarty said.
Senior Accountant, Belinda Amess said CGLLEN’s MATES program was selected by the Stawell office as a worthy recipient of a Findex Community Fund donation.
“I myself have heard great things about the MATES program from people I know who volunteer,” Ms Amess said.
“We are proud to be able to be able to support this valuable program and help CGLLEN recruit additional mentors to support local students in need.”
Central Grampians LLEN is a deductible gift recipient (DGR) organisation that can receive donations that are tax deductible.
Donors can select any CGLLEN program to contribute to and the amount of the donation will be deducted from their taxable income when they lodge their tax return.
To make a donation, please contact CGLLEN Business Manager, Shelly on 5352 3266 or business@cgllen.org.au.
For more information on becoming a mentor, contact MATES Coordinator, Nat on 0432 204 840 or visit www.cgllen.org.au/mates-mentoring/
PHOTO: CGLLEN MATES Coordinator, Nat Taurau accepts a Findex Community Fund donation from Senior Accountant – Accounting & Business Advisory, Belinda Amess in Stawell.