Local mentoring and activity-based organisation, The Uncle Project,will be holding a free introduction evening this month at the Byron Youth Activity Centre .
Ana Davis, on behalf of Uncle, says that since 1997 the group has provided mentoring and activities for boys aged 6 – 12 who have little or no access to an active, family male role model.
‘Research indicates a number of potential disadvantages to boys who grow up with an absent father.
‘These include an increased risk of juvenile delinquency, academic under-achievement, behavioural issues, and even a higher incidence of suicide.
‘Steve Biddulph, well known psychologist and author of Raising Boys stresses that good male role-models can make all the difference in helping sculpt boys into good men themselves.
Single parent population 24 pc
‘With the single parent population of the Byron Shire sitting at around 24 per cent, the Uncle Project is an important support to these boys and their families.
Uncle Project co-ordinator, Chad Kolcze added that what makes the organisation such a successful, ongoing initiative is the ‘functionality of its premise’.
Chad says, ‘It’s more than just the financial contributions we receive from the community.
‘Good men in our community show up as “uncles” for these boys and create positive change though action.’
The intro evening will be at Byron Youth Activity Centre (YAC), 1 Gilmore Cres Byron Bay on October 14 from 6pm to 7.30pm.
