The SISTER2sister Program
The first SISTER2sister mentoring program was held in Sydney in 2004 and expanded to Melbourne in 2009. The program intends to expand nationally to all the capital cities in the coming years to offer youth ‘at risk’ around Australia the opportunity to break the cycle of trauma and past experiences and develop strategies for personal change and growth.
The program has proven to make a difference to the lives of ‘at risk’ teenage youth many of whom are already active contributing members of their respective communities.
Becoming a Little Sister - click here for more information
Becoming a Big Sister - click here for more information
Becoming a Team Leader - click here for more information
About the mentoring program
The SISTER2sister program takes in up to 50 at risk teenage girls per year per program along with their respective Big Sister mentors. Each of the girls in our program is assigned a Big Sister mentor as a positive female role model to provide support, guidance and advice, where needed, throughout the 12 month program.
The Big Sister mentors attend a comprehensive three day training course prior to being “matched” to their Little Sister. The course is designed to equip the Big Sister mentors with requisite skills and information that will ensure they can handle the various issues which may arise. The course also includes information on their legal obligations relating to their duty of care responsibilities, the health and welfare issues of the girls, and additional avenues of appropriate community support that may be necessary in certain circumstances.
The program commences with the four day Butterfly Bootcamp in January, where the Little Sisters meet their Big Sister mentors for the first time and together attend various team building workshops that enable them to bond and set a foundation for their mentoring relationship for the 12 months to follow. There are seminars on risk management and independent survival skills that provide various tools and strategies for coping and working through the challenging circumstances they have encountered, may encounter during the year and for life in general. The workshops are designed to teach the girls to empower themselves, develop their self esteem, boost their confidence and encourage them to work together towards goals. Also included are some unique “life changing experiences” all of which make the Butterfly Bootcamp a rewarding and memorable experience.
Once the Butterfly Bootcamp has concluded, the program continues with monthly outings. These outings are held for the entire group of Little Sisters and Big Sister mentors within the program, and they include an educational workshop component which deals with risk or life management issues together with a fun, motivational component which includes activities such as painting with an artist, learning to surf, trapezing or cooking classes!
Little Sisters and Big Sister mentors also have the opportunity to meet on a one on one basis should they choose to do so, in line with the Foundation’s policy.
Program results to date
At the end of the 12 month SISTER2sister program, the girls have been equipped with the knowledge and skills to help them break the cycle of trauma and/or abuse. Through a comprehensive evaluation we have been able to assess that many of the girls who have gone through the mentoring program develop an increased confidence in themselves and their abilities to have greater control over their lives and futures.
They are able to:
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Demonstrate positive risk management skills
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Utilise strategies to assist them to deal with their past trauma
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Create a safe environment with the support they need to thrive
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Sustain their achievements from the program
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Achieve their education certification
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Become financially secure through successfully obtaining and retaining employment
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Maintain survival skills independently
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Demonstrate high self worth
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Attract and build positive relationships
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Identify goals and steps to implement and achieve these goals
Impact of the program on your community
Since its inception in September 2003 LCEF has nurtured over 145 girls and consequently their respective communities, through the SISTER2sister program. The impact this program has on ‘at risk’ teenage youth is primarily through breaking the cycle of poverty, trauma and suffering.
Ways in which the program impacts the community through the girls include:
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Increase in further education and school attendance
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Community ‘wellness’ through personal happiness, fulfillment and recognition of self worth
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Purposeful use of talents to enable a better life for themselves and their community
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Transformation of lives through skills which enable effective coping mechanisms for life’s challenges
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Reduced crime
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Dramatic decline in anti-social behavior
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Dramatic decline in domestic violence
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Substantial increase in part time employment
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Decline of girls living on benefits (with the exception of living away from home rental assistance)
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Management of mental illness
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Dramatic decrease in substance abuse
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Reduction of unplanned teenage pregnancy
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Education of the wider community of issues that affect teenagers at risk
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Only through the generosity of corporate companies, community services, local business and volunteers can we continue to provide this much needed service to our communities. Please join and support us in facilitating and celebrating the empowerment of at risk teenage girls.
Program evaluation
Download the 2006 SISTER2sister Program evaluation[392kb]
Download the 2007 SISTER2sister Program evaluation[392kb]
The FAQ’s
Some frequently asked questions:
Q When does the next 12 month program start?
A The 12 month program starts in January of each year for every city where it is held. However in the year prior to the commencement of the program you want to join there will be:
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A Recruitment and Selection Process for Big Sister mentors in August/September;
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Mentor Excellence Training for the Big Sister mentors in October
Q Do you have any information nights where I can find out more about voluntary roles within the organisation?
A Yes we have regular information nights - please call the office on 02 9211 9129 for dates
Q Do you plan to move to other states?
A Yes, we are committed to becoming a self sustaining program in order to branch out to other states and are presently already active in both Sydney and Melbourne. To be informed of our movements, please email enquiries@lifechangingexperiences.org and ask to be added to our database to receive our e-newsletter.
Q I would like to be a Big Sister mentor but the program doesn’t start for a while, is there anything else I can do to help?
A Yes, you can join the phenomenal network of inspirational women in our SASSI fundraising program. Click here to find out more
