Women and Mentoring (WAM) offers a unique early intervention program that aims to reduce incarceration and reoffending, whilst building individual capacity to improve life outcomes.   Through a formal mentoring relationship with a trained volunteer, WAM supports vulnerable women and non-binary people who are in conflict with the criminal legal system to develop productive life skills, feel empowered to make positive choices, and build a life away from the justice system.  

Young Women's Program
Over the past two years, we have been involved in delivering a pilot project to expand our mentoring program to support young women aged 12-20 in the Frankston -Mornington Peninsula region, in partnership with local agencies. This project was developed in response to the demand from local health & justice networks to work with a younger cohort in early prevention.  It is reported that over 100 young women per annum aged 10-17 are reported missing in this region – without intervention their needs become more complex.   

At a time when critical support for vulnerable, at-risk young women and girls should be increased and strengthened, we are faced with the uncertainty of government budgets becoming tighter. As we write to you today, Federal Government funding for our Young Women’s program is coming to an end.  

This empowering program for at-risk 12–20-year-old young women and girls living in Frankston and on the Mornington Peninsula is life-changing.  We can’t walk away and let them down now. Mentoring young women and girls who are in conflict with the justice system can lead to transformative outcomes that strengthens communities, empowers women and contributes to a more just and equitable society.