Mackenzie* is in her last year of primary school, and after years on a waitlist to join Rise mentoring, which is in high demand on the NSW Central Coast, she’s finally in the program!
As she’s at the same school previous Rise students attend, she was already familiar with her SHINE for Kids mentor and from session one, she’s been very engaged with the program.Â
“She wrapped her arms around me and laughed, ‘It’s taken you long enough!'” Mackenzie’s mentor said of their first session in 2025.
Her mentor has been doing her best to make space for her in the program, which has a waitlist every year due to demand, so it’s been a great relief and joy to be able to enrol her.Â
Mackenzie has experienced some big ups and downs in the past few years, and so she’s really enjoying having a trusted adult to talk with and troubleshoot issues that arise at home and school.
Mackenzie is one of five siblings, and while her mother does a great job, she’s a sole carer and has a lot to juggle, so Mackenzie loves having someone who is ‘just for her.’
One of the biggest challenges she’s faced was just before the school year when her father, who has been in custody most of her childhood, returned home only to be taken back into custody after only a few months.
“The planning around Christmas school holidays was beautiful to hear,“ said her mentor, “and so she’s gone from a real high to a low with her dad leaving again.”
Recidivism is sadly an issue for around half of people leaving custody, and without wraparound support, it’s a reality too many families face.Â
She was overjoyed to have him back in her life, but now Mackenzie has been through those feelings of loss and grief all over again.
It’s fortunate that this time, however, she’s not facing her disappointment alone.
Mackenzie and her mentor have spent lots of time talking about what she’s going through and helping her find ways to help manage.Â
“Mackenzie needs this scheduled time each week to help her regulate her emotions and confide in whatever is on her mind,“ her mentor says.Â
With the first term of school complete, Mackenzie is looking more positively to the future, now that she has a mentor by her side!
“We’ve had a great start to the year and worked through some big events in her life with the program activities,“ said her mentor.
“I’m really looking forward to supporting Mackenzie to achieve her goals during the rest of the year.”
One of these goals is pursuing and continuing to improve at dance, a big passion of hers and an activity that brings her joy and helps her cope when times at home are tough.Â
“She strives in creative arts (dance) and is often selected to dance for school events … she has represented the school at the School Spectacular and in Indigenous dance groups that perform at special invitation events within the community,“ her mentor says.
“In sessions, we have talked about her dreams of where dance can lead. With discipline and goals, I know that Mackenzie can take herself anywhere she wishes!“Â
Thank you to The Benevolent Society for supporting this program on the NSW Central Coast.
*Names have been changed to protect the privacy of program participants.Â
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