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;void(0)) Youth Empowerment Seminars and the Founder VISION To motivate, inspire and encourage young people (with a particular focus on ages 13 to 19) to reach their potential. Affirming and encouraging the 'Spirit of Mentoring'; with an outcome where young people are guided and equipped to realise their full potential within the context of a safe, supportive and secure environment. The YOUTH EMPOWERMENT SEMINARS (YES!) material has been developed in line with the findings of international and Australasian research about young people. This research suggests that deep down most young people would like:
o They need to feel safe and secure. o The more they are cared for, the more secure they feel. o They need to be surrounded by people who care for, appreciate and accept them unconditionally. o They need the positive influences of peers and adults to encourage them to do their best. o They need to be encouraged to appreciate that they are more likely to reach their potential when there are clear rules or boundaries in place (some of which can be negotiated). When they step over these boundaries there will be reasonable consequences.
o The more they are valued the more positive self-worth they experience. o They need to be encouraged to feel they have some control over things that happen to them. o Empowering them will be proof that they are valued, respected, liked and are regarded as valuable resources. o They need fun time to interact with peers and adults, which involves the development of social skills.
o Their lives have significance. o The more they understand that there is a reason for their existence, the more significant they will feel. o They need encouragement to explore opportunities within and outside of school to learn and develop new skills and interests. o They are encouraged to acquire a commitment to learning: academic success and the long-term value of learning will enhance their self-worth as they discover their gifts and talents. o They need to appreciate and understand how to make the tough decisions and choices; how to cope with new situations. o They need guidance to develop a positive view of the future.  Founder Robin Cox, B.A., Higher Diploma in Education, is the founder of YES! The organization began in 1987 under the name South African Youth Symposia (SAYS) and changed its name to Youth Empowerment Seminars in 1999. SAYS pioneered multicultural national symposia, which were aimed at bringing young people of all ages together to prepare for the inevitable change of government and the death of apartheid in South Africa. Approximately 6000 adolescents attended SAYS and YES! gatherings over the years. Symposia also looked at the development, through training, of youth Life Skills, which included conflict resolution training. The latter seminars were built around a book written by Robin, On the Wings of an Eagle - a young person's guide to living, now out of print. Robin taught for 23 years, was a Secondary School Principal for 8 of these years, and was always involved in multicultural education environments. During this time he coached sport extensively at regional and national level, was a boarding housemaster or assistant housemaster (for 18 years) and was involved in a number of community projects. He has mentored (at different levels) about 1000 adolescents from a variety of socio-economic backgrounds. In 1999 Robin and his family emigrated to New Zealand and, under the auspices of Youth Empowerment Seminars, he ran a series of one day Life Skill workshops for 15 - 17 year old students, focusing on self-image, relationship-building, communication and goal setting skills. Approximately 1000 students attended these seminars, representing 22 Secondary (High) schools. In 1999 Robin developed a Mentor Training Program for volunteer adult mentors working with students who had been identified with below average self-esteem. He has continued to develop this program, focusing on the YES! philosophy mentioned above. He has trained over 700 volunteer adult mentors and run over 60 mentor training programs or workshops. He has also trained Mentor Trainers and developed a training program to facilitate this process. In addition, in 2004 he completed the writing of a Peer Mentor Program for use in schools, which is based on two Peer Support and Peer Mentor Programs he wrote between 1990 and 2002 and which were piloted at schools he was associated with. These programs were developed around pioneering material written by Elizabeth Campbell in Australia in the 1980?s and were developed with her encouragement and support. He has trained many Peer Mentors, as well as some Peer Mentor Coordinators. Robin continues to develop his mentoring material, as well as writing material to encourage young people to reach their potential. In July 2006 he undertook a Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowship visiting youth mentoring and other youth organisations in Canada and the United States of America. He relished the opportunity to network with people passionate about encouraging young people to reach their potential, gather more information about youth mentoring, as well as share his books and personal experiences working in the youth mentoring field. At the end of August 2006 he accepted a position as Career Transition Manager with the Schools Industry Partnership in New South Wales, Australia, which serves over 40 Secondary Schools in the Penrith, Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury areas of Outer Western Sydney. He does presentations to students covering topics such as: how to write a winning Resume; job interview skills; developing a good work ethic; developing Employability Skills and Hot Tips on how to Reach your Potential. He also runs Peer Mentor Training programs and is developing the GR8 MATES School Based Youth Mentoring Program, which is being piloted at a local High School between August 2007 and July 2008 and which will include an ementoring component. He has also developed a talk: Generation Y2Z: Inspiring Today's Teenagers, which is presented to parent groups, while an adapted version is offered to Teachers. The Schools Industry Partnership Programs, which include organising Work Placements for approximately 3,000 students (who have selected some Vocational Education and Training courses) in their final two years at school, linking industry mentors with schools in Adopt A School Projects, as well as running conferences promoting Employability Skills and Enterprise and Entrepreneurial skills, are being funded by the Australian government. Married, with two adult children, Robin moved to Penrith, Outer Western Sydney, Australia in September 2006. Personally motivated after recovering from cancer at the age of 10, Robin wishes to share his passion to encourage young people to reach their potential with as many people as possible. His interests include most sports, jogging, golf, fishing, reading and hiking (without the backpacks!). | My Mentoring Journey (1961 - 2007) | | Return Home | Founder and YES! | Setting up a Mentoring Program | Mentor | Gen Y2Z Teacher-Mentors | Peer Mentor | GR8MATES program Blog | Great Links | Contact Us | |
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