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Welcome to Givewell's Project Spotlight. Each month we highlight a project for
which a charity is currently seeking funds. We also provide details on how to
give directly for this project.
Background Information:
Current research about the performance of students’ literacy in Australia clearly demonstrates the need for responsive programs that aim to address the barriers that impact on students accessing education. In 2007, the Education Foundation reported that affluent Australian students are on average three years of schooling ahead of the least affluent in reading literacy. Students from low social economic backgrounds are also twice as likely to under perform in literacy and numeracy. Ardoch understands that there a number of complex factors that impact on a young person’s school performance and ability to remain connected at school. From 18 years of experience in working closely with young people, families and educators, Ardoch has found that one major cause of poor school performance and disengagement is the lack of positive role models who provide students with aspirations, the incentive to set goals and the purpose to build on skills.
In 1999, Ardoch Youth Foundation established Literary Buddies to provide students with:
- an opportunity to write letters and thus expand their literacy skills in a fun way;
- an opportunity for students to have exposure to working role models in a remote mentoring relationship; and
- face to face interactions through bi-annual visits and work environment exposure between the school and the participating organisation.
Project Description:
Literary Buddies is a pen pal style program that matches a student buddy with a big buddy. Literary Buddies provides an opportunity for corporate volunteers to be involved in a flexible remote program. Groups of volunteers are matched with a class of individual students and offers face to face meeting twice a year, once hosted by the Little Buddy’s school and once hosted at the Big Buddy’s workplace.
Pivotal to this program is the positive and rewarding relationship with the corporate and the development of the students’ communication skills. The following steps guide the Program implementation:
- Establish a relationship with the corporate partner and communicate expectations and youth safe guard guidelines.
- Identify communication channels.
- Recruit corporate volunteers.
- Match the group with a school class and provide a list of names to the teacher and the designated organisation’s representative.
- Train the group members to act as responsible Literary Buddies based on Ardoch’s Youth Safe Guard Policy and outline the roles for which the organisation’s representative will be responsible.
- Organise training of teaching staff on the pen pal process.
- Students are introduced to letter writing.
- Develop a calendar for letter exchanges; it is preferable for the school children to start off the program writing first in order for the adult Buddies to gain an understanding of the student’s level.
- Ask the teacher/s involved to allot time for their students to write letters to their Literary Buddy on a regular basis .
- Collect the letters, ensure all letters are collected, concerns are communicated to the teacher, content has been screened as appropriate and then forward to the organisation. Class teacher will be responsible for this.
- When the organisation forwards their letters, ensure all letters are received and screened appropriately (all letters are unsealed to facilitate this).
- Organise meetings between Literary Buddies both at the organisation site and at the school.
- Evaluate and review the program to ensure it is responsive to the schools, students and organisational priorities.
Project Benefits:
- Provides an avenue for relationships to develop between positive role models from the 'world of work' and students.
- Provides examples for students with real life pathways from school to study/work.
- Encourages development of broad social, communication and life skills that will enhance self-esteem and confidence in students.
- Increases and enhances the literacy skills of students.
- Provides team based volunteer opportunities to corporate partners to connect and support their local community.
- Makes a difference to the lives of corporate "Big" Buddies and student "Little" Buddies.
Can donors/grant makers give directly for this project? Yes, along with other Ardoch Projects. All donations over $2 are tax deductible.
If so, how?
1) Donate online – via Ardoch’s online donation form.
2) Volunteer – register your interest in volunteering for Ardoch using the online registration form.
Contact Details for Further Information:
Mr Alan Curtain, Corporate Community Relationships Manager
Ardoch Youth Foundation
198 St Kilda Rd
St Kilda VIC 3182
Tel: (03) 9537 2414
Fax: (03) 9537 3211
Email: alan.curtain@ardoch.asn.au
Web: www.ardoch.asn.au
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