Mentor Jen a trusted friend to Loaves and Fishes staff

Workplace mentor Jen thought she would be chopping vegetables or packing food when she applied to volunteer with emergency food relief provider, Loaves and Fishes Tasmania.

Twelve months later, Jen is now a mentor to her second employee, Kayla, who works in the production kitchen in the Devonport warehouse.

“I was a mentor to Maddy from the kitchen for nine months until she left, although we still remain in contact, then I was matched with Kayla,” Jen said.

Mentoring is a privilege

“I love being a mentor. It’s a privilege to be able to be part of these young women’s lives, being a sounding board, listening and sharing my life experiences.

“It was very satisfying as Maddy slowly gained confidence and has grown into an amazing, strong woman.

Jen, who works as a teacher’s aide at Marist Regional College in Burnie, has three adult children around the same ages as Maddy and Kayla which she admits helps in being able to relate.

Jen said she contacted Loaves and Fishes to volunteer as she wanted to give back, having donated her time and skills to various causes on the mainland, from cubs and scouts to school reading programs and sports clubs before relocating two years ago to Tasmania with her husband.

Adapting to each girl

“Both girls are very different, and so it’s about finding meaningful ways to connect,” she said.

“Maddy was very outgoing and talkative, would ask lots of questions and share very openly.

“Maddy and I would meet at coffee shops, in the library, we even went out for dinner at Christmas with our partners.

“Kayla is quieter and more reserved. We are still in the getting-to-know you stage.

“I bring my dogs and we walk along the foreshore while we talk.”

Maddy said Jen was an amazing person on whom she could rely, particularly in the early days with Loaves and Fishes after moving to Devonport from Hobart.

“It has been a great mentoring experience that has gone from just a work relationship to a lifelong friendship,” she said.

Kayla said Jen was a good listener and easy to talk with.

“We have good conversations and I trust her.”

Jen said she would encourage others to become a mentor.

“It’s a great privilege to be able to share in someone’s life.

“It’s a weekly commitment of about an hour, which isn’t a big commitment of time.

“However, you are able to make a huge difference in someone’s life, simply by being willing to listen, ask questions and encourage them.”

To find out more about mentoring, contact Devonport Chaplaincy on 6417 3175. 

Loaves and Fishes Tasmana is a social enterprise started by Devonport Chaplaincy.

The organisation recruits, trains and supervises student, driver and workplace mentors.

By Paul O’Rourke