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The Elders who kindly volunteer their time to mentor families in our Belonging to Family program took their skills on the road with a recent visit to a youth justice centre.

The group was greeted warmly on arrival, with staff coming out to welcome the Elders and admire our beautiful (and very bright) new van!

“The centre staff said they love having the Elders visit,” said SHINE for Kids program manager Barb Cohen, “It’s a great chance to meet the young people, sit down and have lunch with them, talk with them, laugh together.”

The group was taken on a tour of the centre, where they had the chance to spend time in each space, meeting and chatting with the young people.

“They were all respectful,” said Barb, “We went into their classrooms and their spaces, saw an art class. The young guys were excited to share what they were learning or doing everywhere we went.”

The group was then treated to lunch at the cafeteria where the young people showcased their impressive cooking and barista skills.

When a young person came over for a longer chat, the Elders would ask if they were going to court and if the young person would like them to be there to support them.

Some young people said they’d love this, and it was clear how much they appreciated the offer.

“They shared their stories and opened up … the young guys sat down and shared where they were from, and when some were shy, we encouraged them to open up,” said Barb.

The Elders also shared their own stories, of difficult times and how they overcame them, which helped create a non-judgmental space.

“We’re not there to question them and ask why they are there, just to show we care and want to hear them and mentor them.

“We tell them to reach out when they come out, don’t hesitate to give us a call,” said Barb.

Visits like these are not only about showing young people they are not alone but also offer practical connections and support for when they are released and return to their communities.

The young people can begin building a rapport with the Aunties and Uncles, so they’ll feel comfortable reaching out if they need advice in the future.

Three young people from the Kempsey area were introduced to the Elders specially, so they’d have local links when they returned home.

“We’re also there for all the young people, not just the Kempsey mob,” said Barb.

The Elders invited two other service providers to join their visit—a health worker and a drug and alcohol counsellor—so they could introduce other support available across NSW to the young people.

The introduction of these other services has already made a positive impact, with the groups since organising fortnightly visits to the centre

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As for the Elders, they’ll be back again soon and can’t wait to share in this year’s NAIDOC celebrations, among other occasions, with the young people.

“We told the young guys that the theme for NAIDOC this year is the next generation and they loved it,” said Barb.

“The Elders said the day was deadly, and the young guys know they are not alone.”

Pictured L – R: Uncle Grahame Quinlan, Uncle Cyril Davis, Acmena staff, Aunty Lily-Anne Blunden, Barb Cohen, Uncle Buck Davis, Aunty Eileen Donovan, Aunty Melva Wright, Acmena Staff, Christa Smith (SP – Health Worker with Health NSW),  Aunty Robyn Kapeen, Nicole Spencer (SP – D & A Counsellor with Community Housing Ltd), Acmena staff, Uncle Ronny Ferguson & Acmena staff.