Frank Perkins is calling on volunteers to help young migrants and refugees improve their school work. 75963 Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT
BY NATALIE GALLENTI
THE Edmund Rice Community and Refugee Services centre is calling on Brimbank residents to get behind their cause and give up some spare time to help out young migrants and refugees with their school work.
Director Frank Perkins said the organisation, which partners mentors with primary school and secondary school aged children, was always looking for some new hands on deck, particularly as the school year approaches.
Mr Perkins said volunteers would provide tuition and homework support to students of a refugee or migrant background and hopefully keep youngsters in education for as long as possible.
“We try to offer one-on-one help in a very intensive program,” he said.
“Sometime students just need a boost.
“Students can be successful when they have support from teachers and volunteers.”
Mr Perkins said the organisation would welcome adults that had experience in teaching and working with children to the program and they would only have to commit themselves to two hours a week for at least six to 10 weeks.
The mentoring program runs out of Errington Community Centre and caters to the needs of all students.
Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Frank on 0417 834 656 or Dane Stammers on 0439 970 002.
