Women and Mentoring - WAM Limited

Women and Mentoring (WAM) is an Australian nonprofit organisation dedicated to providing early intervention support to women and non-binary people who are in contact with, or at risk of contact with, the criminal justice system. Established in 2009, WAM operates primarily in metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria, offering a one-on-one mentoring program that aims to empower participants to make positive life changes through the development and use of constructive life skills.

History and Development

WAM began its operations in the City of Yarra, Melbourne, initially partnering with the Neighbourhood Justice Centre in 2009. In 2015, the organisation expanded its reach with funding from the Melbourne Women’s Fund, extending its services to the Sunshine Magistrates Court precinct. Over subsequent years, with support from philanthropic and state government sources, WAM broadened its service area to cover all metropolitan Melbourne regions. By 2023, the program included referrals from the Ballarat area and considered applications from other regional locations on a case-by-case basis, utilizing remote mentoring options where necessary.

Purpose and Mission

WAM’s mission focuses on assisting women and non-binary individuals at their early interactions with the justice system by providing them with a formal mentoring relationship. This connection offers a pathway to develop positive life skills, thereby improving their legal and social outcomes. The organisation functions on the premise that volunteer mentors, drawing upon their own life experiences and social capital, can empower mentees to navigate challenges and foster lasting change.

Programs and Services

The core program of WAM pairs participants with trained volunteer mentors who provide tailored, individual support. These mentors are equipped to help women facing criminal charges, who are at risk of offending, or who are otherwise involved in the legal system, to better manage their circumstances. The support includes guidance, encouragement, and practical assistance aimed at reducing the likelihood of reoffending and enhancing participants’ overall wellbeing.

Governance and Funding

Women and Mentoring is registered as a charity in Australia and operates with recurrent philanthropic funding along with state government support. This financial backing enables the organisation to maintain and expand its mentoring services to a broader population of criminalised women experiencing significant life challenges.

Impact

Through its early intervention mentoring model, WAM has become a unique program in the Australian justice support landscape, focusing on non-binary and female-identified individuals. Its approach fosters positive community change by targeting social reintegration and offering personal development opportunities for those involved in the legal system.

Note: The information presented here references publicly available data about Women and Mentoring - WAM Limited.

[1] https://www.womenandmentoring.org.au [2] https://www.womenandmentoring.org.au/about [3] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/200f9443-3aaf-e811-a960-000d3ad24282/profile [4] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/200f9443-3aaf-e811-a960-000d3ad24282/documents/9b6a3ff8-ee3b-ea11-a813-000d3ad1f9f4 [5] https://www.givenow.com.au/organisation/public/3509