Nathaniel Slater hopes to be a good role model for the teenagers he mentors. 71921 Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT
BY NATALIE GALLENTI
WHEN Nathaniel Slater decided to become a lead tenant over a year ago, he didn’t realise he would become so close with some of the youngsters living with him.
The Taylors Lakes resident saw an advertisement from Salvation Army Westcare calling for volunteers to
become lead tenants and thought he might be perfect for the job – a year on and it seems he made the right move.
The Lead Tenant Program is a Department of Human Services-funded initiative, which offers the opportunity for 16 to 18 year old clients to live together with a
volunteer who acts as a role model, mentor, and facilitator of a supportive environ-
ment.
The program aims to help young people begin to practise independent living in a shared household, before their transition to a more autonomous living environment.
Mr Slater, 34, said the aim of the program was to provide a safe, stable, caring and supportive living environment for youngsters who may have had a difficult start in life.
“We’re just there to make sure they’re in a safe environment and to share our experiences with them,” the personal trainer said.
He said something as simple as watching a movie together or playing a game of basketball could help form a close bond between the mentor and teenager.
“You don’t have to be there 24 hours a day, seven days a week for them. It’s about being a role model and showing them how to juggle work and a life also.”
Mr Slater said the experience was not only important for the youngsters, but had offered him many rewards and had changed his outlook on life.
“I’d encourage other people to get involved. You need to have an easy going personality and a forgiving personality.
“They’re just kids.”
Anyone interested in becoming a lead tenant should contact Westcare Salvation Army on 9312 3544 or MacKillop Family Services on 8398 6800.
