Dedicated mentor

Passionate. Positive. Persevering

Daniel Beeson grew up amid adversity and has taken some wrong turns. But he has always landed on his feet and learnt lessons from his experiences.

He uses his life experience to help vulnerable young people do the best they can for themselves and is a dedicated mentor and coach.

Daniel was a volunteer for three years at TRY Australia before he was employed as mentoring coordinator.

In this role, he has developed positive connections with key stakeholders and established mentoring programs for seven schools across Melbourne’s south-east in just four months.

The TRY Australia program targets disenfranchised and marginalised 13 to 17-year-olds who lack self-esteem, motivation and engagement with their school, peers and community.

“We build capacity, resilience and independence and develop lifelong skills in young people to become loyal, dedicated and positive individuals within their communities,” says Daniel.

He is so committed to helping participants that he uses his own car in his own time to transport them if they cannot afford public transport.

He also volunteers to hold special programs during the school holidays, so his group members stay connected and supportive of each. This reduces delinquency and police involvement.

TRY Australia will be able to run a twelve-month group program for twenty young people who are on a waiting list for a one-to-one mentor.

__For further information on the Westfield Local Heroes program, click here. __