Info for Parents/Caregivers
Future Leaders is designed to help your daughter achieve by providing help for her in a number of areas. The YWCA will provide resources and support to enable this to happen.

There are no costs involved for parents/caregivers.

Each young woman on the programme will have her own programme of activity and development. She is likely to stay on the Future Leaders Programme for four-five years.

It is anticipated that each young woman will go on to some form of higher education.

How the Programme works

• Your daughter will be selected by the school using criteria established by the programme
• Future Leaders staff will approve her selection
• You will briefed by Future Leaders staff, and your consent will be sought
• Your daughter will be assigned a mentor with whom she will meet regularly
• An Individual Development Plan will be designed for your daughter
• Progress on the plan will be assessed regularly

What is a Mentor?

A Future Leaders mentor is a successful woman who wants to assist a young woman to succeed. A mentor is someone who cares, who listens, and who offers encouragement. Mentors help develop students' strengths and talents.

Each mentor is trained to work with young women and is screened by the Police to make sure she is suitable.

Your daughter will be introduced to the possible mentors at an Activity Day. She will usually be able to choose the person she likes the best as her mentor.

Each fortnight the mentor and your daughter will be in contact and every three-four weeks they should meet to discuss progress on the Development Plan.

A mentor is not a substitute for a parent – she is a “friend” to your daughter – someone who will be an objective guide and advisor. The mentor should be in regular contact with you, as parents, and you can contact the mentor when you wish to discuss any aspect of your daughter’s progress or behaviour.

How will parents/caregivers be involved?

The involvement of your daughter in the Future Leaders Programme will be discussed with you during the time your daughter is being considered for the programme.

As well, you will be invited to attend some activities that she is taking part in and the mentor will want to meet you and possibly discuss the progress your daughter is making.

At any time, you can contact the Future Leaders staff (details below) to talk about how your daughter is progressing.

Your daughter will sign a contract with the YWCA to be on the programme and you will be asked to sign a contract as well. This will ask you to provide support and encouragement to your child as she progresses.

From time to time your approval will be sought for your daughter to attend various activities, including leadership/holiday camps.

For further information, please contact:

Catherine Wild
Community Programmes Manager
YWCA Auckland
PO Box 7103
Wellesley Street
Auckland

p: (09) 375 9243
e: cpmanager@akywca.org.nz

Dianna Bluck

Future Leaders Mentor Co-ordinator

YWCA Auckland

PO Box 7103

Wellesley Street

Auckland

p: (09) 375 9248

e: mentors@akywca.org.nz