Utilising the power of role models to make a difference for First Nations women aged 16-25 years who have experienced a history of trauma through exposure to child protection system, family and domestic violence, housing insecurity or exposure to the justice system.
Strong Sisters is the mentoring program of the First Nations Women’s Leadership Program (FNWLP).
The FNWLP empowers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to embrace their inherent strengths, cultural knowledge, and leadership potential. Through connection and collective action, the program supports women to become strong advocates for their families, communities, and futures. The Program has a series of one day workshops as well as our Strong Sisters mentoring program.
Providing young First Nations women with culturally safe and healthy role models can increase their wellbeing, connection to community, and future employment options and reduce their risk of housing insecurity, cycles of family violence or contact with the justice system. Through one-to-one mentoring, Stong Sisters links young First Nations women with a supportive female adult who can be a guide on their journey to becoming confident community leaders.
We are currently taking expressions of interest for both mentees and mentors with a goal of launching the next round of the program in May 2026.
Depending on the availability of mentors, each young person will be linked to either a mentor who works for the program, or a volunteer mentor based on their personality, shared interests and location.
Participants will connect at least once a fortnight to spend time together doing things they both enjoy.
The First Nations Women’s Leadership Program: Strong Sisters is an initiative of YWCA Australia and NIAA.
We’re currently taking expressions of interest from First Nations women aged over 25 in the areas of Adelaide, Port Augusta, Ceduna or Port Lincoln who would like to develop skills around supporting others to develop their own individual strengths and overcome trauma through having supportive positive relationships.
If this sounds like you and you have a few hours a fortnight to give for a minimum of 6 months, you can make a difference to a young person. You don’t need any prior experience. Mentors will require a National Police Check and Working With Children Check that we will support them to get, and will receive training and ongoing support to help them build a strong relationship with their mentee.
The FNWLMP is accepting referrals for young women , aged 16 to 25, living in the areas of Adelaide, Port Augusta, Ceduna or Port Lincoln who have been in contact with the child protection or justice systems or experienced housing insecurity or homelessness, or those who would benefit from a supportive adult.
Submit an expression of interest for a young person by completing this form and the coordinator/manager will be in touch. Please note, timing and mentoring matches depend on mentor availability – the program coordinator will respond to your referral to discuss these details.
Become a preferred agency by emailing leadership.sa@ywca.org.au
The mentor application process includes:
If successful, volunteer mentors will need to sign a mentoring agreement. Once accepted as a volunteer mentor the matching process begins.
Submit an expression of interest
The program has two types of mentors, those who work for the program and those who are volunteers.
The recruitment and screening process helps us get to know our volunteer mentors and mentees so we can link people who have shared interests and would be open to learning and trying similar things. First Nations Women’s Leadership Mentoring Program team members will discuss potential links with volunteers and young people waiting to be linked. A supervised meeting is then arranged between the volunteer and the young person. If everyone agrees, the link is made!
Pairs participate in one-on-one outings based on common interests. We encourage you to do activities that you both enjoy. You could go to events together, play sports, and get crafty or creative. We’ll regularly send you suggestions and opportunities so you can try something new together. There are also options to socialise on Community Days.
A fortnightly commitment of 2 hours for a minimum of 6 months.