Cairns Youth Mentoring Scheme
Monthly Newsletter

April 2008 : Volume 8, Issue 2

Brought to you by Centacare Cairns

Coming Events

Thursday, 10th
Action Group Meeting
Tuesday, 15th
Mentor Training Info Session
Saturday, 19th
Mentor Training Workshop

May
Thursday, 8th
Action Group Meeting
Saturday, 24th
Celebration

Recipe of the Month

Gary & Alec's Sushi

March 12 was the first Celebration of the year and Gary and Alec were one of the celebrating couples for the evening. Rather than present a project, the pair prepared food for the celebration which included Mexican bites and sushi. The sushi was such a great hit.Ensure you make enough because if you have a crowd they are sure to vanish from the plate in no time as they are so delicious! Well done to the two chefs who provided CYMS with the recipe. Enjoy!

You will need:

• 1 bamboo sushi mat
• 1 baking tray
• 1 small to medium pot with lid
• Koshikari rice
• Nori sheets
• Rice vinegar
• Sugar
• 1 dessert bowl of water
• Assorted fillings cut into thin match like strips.

Making Sushi rice:
Ingredients:

• 2 cups sushi rice (also called Koshikari)
• 2 cups water

Sushi Vinegar Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp salt

1. Wash rice until water runs clear.
2. Bring water and rice to boil in pot with a tight fitting lid (you can use cling film to make a better seal) reduce heat to very low and simmer for 7 min.
3. Take rice off heat and let sit for 20 minutes (don't be tempted to peek, you need the steam trapped in the pot to cook the rice).
4. Make sushi vinegar, mix all ingredients in pan over medium heat until sugar has dissolved and remove from heat.
5. After 20 min spread rice onto baking tray and sprinkle with sushi vinegar. Mix rice gently with a knife until it reaches room temperature. Your rice is done...easy.

Forward this to a friend >>

Thank You

CYMS would like to thank the following for their support over the past few months:

• Flexible Learning Centre for use of their resources and support to the CYMS team;
• Far North Queensland Volunteers for assisting the Scheme with volunteer interviews and mentor recruitment;
• The Catholic News - Diocese of Cairns for their support of the Scheme;
• Big Cat Green Island Cruises for their donation of prizes for the March Celebration;
• cityofcairns.com for maintaining the CYMS Website;
• Atlas Projects for assisting with the CYMS Newsletter; and
• Action Group members for their assistance with the March Celebration.

Pass it on

If you know someone who may be interested in receiving this newsletter, you can easily forward.

Please send info, photos and stories for the next newsletter. Any/all items of happenings, what you are doing, what you hope to do, what you missed out on doing.

All items are of interest to other mentors and mentees. Email the office or call us on 4041 5844.

If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter please, simply unsubscribe from this newsletter. In order to protect your privacy, the distribution list that has been compiled for this newsletter will not be used for any other purpose and your name and contact details will not be disclosed to any third party.

Brought to you by
Centacare Cairns

Co-ordinator's News

Hi ,

I hope you all had a fantastic Easter. I sure did as there was lots of chocolate eating involved!

For people who receive the newsletter via email you will notice the different format. CYMS is trialing this format so feedback is welcome. Please let us know if it is easier to read and more appealing by clicking here . If you did not receive the newsletter via email and would like to, you can easily subscribe.

The first Celebration of the year was a success. It was very relaxed with a sausage sizzle and basketball games. Thanks to all who helped, especially Naomi, who coordinated the games.

The Scheme is calling for past mentees and mentors to come along to the next Celebration and share their experience since leaving the Scheme. I often hear about past mentees and mentors keeping in touch but it would be wonderful to share that with present mentees and mentors in the form of a short talk at the celebration. Please register your interest via phone or email.

The next mentor social is booked for May. It will be an extra special social as it will be held in National Volunteer Week. Please invite potential volunteers to come along.

This year is also a big year for me personally as I am getting married in June and will be having 2 months leave. The Scheme will still be operating as usual as another staff member from Centacare will be appointed on a part-time basis to hold the fort. The appointed person will ensure mentors and mentees entering the Scheme will be interviewed and that current matches are maintained. Tom from the FLC will also be available as an emergency contact during office hours.

Between now and when I go on leave, the Scheme is jam-packed with activity as there will be the second celebration of the year and another mentor training session. Hope to see you all at these upcoming events.

Kind Regards,
Anita Andacic
CYMS Co-ordinator

Coming Events

CYMS Action Group is Recruiting

The Action Group is the motivating force behind the Cairns Youth Mentoring Scheme. The role of an Action Group member involves:

• Support, and making recommendations to the Co-ordinator;
• Raising the profile and promoting the integrity of the Scheme to attract suitable mentors, community awareness and ownership of the Scheme;
• Submit strategies and assist with marketing and fundraising; and
• As required attend other working party meetings.

This year the Action Group will be aiming to raise money to fund mentor training, celebrations and to support administration for the Scheme.

To learn more about the role of the Action Group or if you are interested in becoming involved please contact the Co-ordinator on 4041 5844. Meetings are held the second Thursday of every month from 5.30pm to 6.30pm at the Flexible Learning Centre, Clarke Street Manunda.

Being apart of the Action Group is also a fantastic way to contribute to the Scheme if you are unable to be matched with a mentee.

Next Action Group Meetings:

• Thursday 10 April 2008
• Thursday 8 May 2008

Mentee-Mentor Testimonials

Sam's testimonial:

I joined the Cairns Youth Mentoring Scheme in approximately August 2007. I was looking for a special person to do things with and talk to. I met Gail and she became a very special friend. We did lots of fun activities together (and a lot of body pain in body pump at the gym!).

Gail took me places every two weeks, for example:

It was a really interesting experience. I feel very close to Gail and we will continue seeing each other.

Gail's testimonial:

I went into the program with hesitation due to past experiences with teenagers and their issues! However, I was pleasantly surprised the day I met Sam and I have thoroughly enjoyed taking Sam out over the past 6 months. It was interesting to realise at our Celebration that, although I had the choice to continue our friendship or not, if I had decided to end it (for example due to time commitments) this would have been a big let down to Sam. So my advice to any potential mentors is before you even start, to seriously think about what you are prepared to do at the end of the program if the friendship you have is successful. If you are unable to continue beyond the 6 months, it would be fair to be clear and let the mentee know at your initial meeting. Together we look forward to continuing our friendship, including our plans to participate in the World's Greatest Shave in 2009 !