The not for profit sector in Australia is a vibrant one with thousands of people volunteering their time to a multitude of causes.
AIME is a mentoring program set up by two Sydney University students that links university students with indigenous high school students. Its purpose is to increase indigenous kids’ participation and progression rates at school and university.
AIME started in 2005, with 25 mentors and 25 mentees. Today it connects more than 2000 mentees and more than 1000 mentors across 24 universities around Australia. Its aim is to connect 10000 students by 2016. To help staff better understand indigenous culture, they undertake work experience and training with indigenous organisations, and then return to work and share the experience with their colleagues.
Each year there are two major fundraisers, Strut the Street, where hundreds of people march through the CBD in speedos and National Hoodie Day where thousands of people buy AIME hoodies with all funds from both events going towards improving the education opportunities of Indigenous kids.
From the AIME website:
“AIME provides a dynamic educational Program that gives Indigenous high school students the skills, opportunities, belief and confidence to finish school at the same rate as their peers. AIME has proven to dramatically improve the chances of Indigenous kids finishing school. AIME also connects students with post Year 12 opportunities, including further education and employment.”
This is such an interesting organisation to be involved with because everyone who works for them is passionate about smashing the gap in education inequality across Australia.
At HSC CoWorks our coaches continually stretch and challenge our students, not just providing HSC Tutoring, but preparing students for success after the HSC. We actively encourage students to look ahead not just to University but also to their dream career within an inspiring and leading Company. Having this type of long term vision is not only encouraging but is one of the most successful tools our students can use in order to push themselves out of their comfort zone towards a great HSC result.
