Souths Cares is celebrating the achievements of Matilda Moy, a participant in the Deadly Youth Mentoring Program who has overcome many challenges along her mentoring journey and is now reaping the rewards for her commitment to change.
Matilda was referred to the Deadly Youth Mentoring Program earlier this year due to concerns about her education and wellbeing. At the time of joining the program, she was disengaged from school, had poor relationships with her peers and family and was spending little time within the family home.
Deadly Youth Mentor, Yileen Gordon worked intensively with Matilda around building her self-respect and self-esteem as well as addressing behavioral issues which were impacting her classroom learning and home life.
With the support of her mentor, Matilda transitioned from mainstream schooling to WAYS Secondary College, an alternative high school in Sydney’s East. After changing schools, she has thrived in a new learning environment with smaller student to teacher ratios and a flexible school timetable.
Matilda has responded exceptionally well to the program and has attended all her mentoring appointments in addition to accepting referrals for other support services. She has been actively engaged in the program’s social activities which have included day trips to the Royal National Park, going to the movies and attending Rabbitohs NRL games with her mentor and other program participants.
The changes Matilda has achieved during her time in the program have been significant. Yileen Gordon, Deadly Youth Mentor explained he was extremely proud of everything Matilda has accomplished so far.
“When Matilda first joined the program, she lacked self-esteem and had a poor self-image. Over the past 6 months Matilda has put a lot of work into herself, her education and her relationships and because of this, she is now on a positive pathway”, Yileen said.
Matilda and her young brother Raymond were surprised by Rabbitohs players Cody Walker and Latrell Mitchell on Tuesday, who announced they had been selected to join the Rabbitohs and Souths Cares for a special trip away to the Sunshine Coast next week.
The surprise trip to the Sunshine Coast was made possible through the generous support of Wotif.com and promises to be an exciting week for Matilda, Raymond and a handful of other Souths Cares program participants in the lead up to the Rabbitohs Round 21 NRL game at Sunshine Coast Stadium.
