Carabiner Mentoring links potential with success

October 2014
Media release

Carabiner Mentoring links potential with success

In the six years since its inception, Carabiner Mentoring has provided support, confidence and guidance to dozens of extraordinary young New Zealanders. Initially established as a mentoring programme for young people with disabilities, this year Carabiner has expanded its scope.

Remaining true to its ethos of “linking potential with success”, Carabiner is now taking applications from young people who live with extraordinary challenges, be these physical, mental or situational.
“We’re looking for ambitious, motivated, talented young people,” says Mentoring Coordinator, Jo Dominick. “There’s no segregation. In changing the criteria, we’ve moved away from any negative connotations and toward a programme that allows young people to define themselves, focusing on their positive qualities, talents and goals.”

A recent addition to the Carabiner family, Hamilton resident Yaniv Janson has already significantly defined himself through his art. With an in-depth understanding of environmental and social issues and a fresh perspective on marketing his work, Yaniv partnered with Carabiner to develop his connections in the art world.

22 year-old Yaniv has an autism spectrum disorder and epilepsy, which affects how he communicates with others. He chooses to express his ideas through painting, which have culminated in 32 exhibitions, five of which travelled overseas.

In fact, Yaniv had already sold 136 paintings when he approached Carabiner looking to take his work to the next level. “The initial discussions with Jo and the team really inspired Yaniv,” says mother Annick. “They showed him that you really can go as far with your talents as you want.”

With Carabiner’s help, Yaniv recently met with renowned patron of the arts, Sir James Wallace, to discuss how he could progress his work. “It’s been a fantastic experience for Yaniv to meet one of the leading authorities on local art,” says Annick. “He’s met someone whom he admires hugely, and got to know one of the most important personalities in the arts.”

The sky is the limit now for Yaniv, as it is for other young people who are teamed up with New Zealand’s cultural movers and shakers through Carabiner. With a funding contract from the Ministry of Youth Development, Carabiner are further developing the services they offer, with the aim to apply the model internationally, expanding the horizons of young people around the world.

Carabiner is now also collaborating with Heart for Youth to improve their programme, following a mentor training workshop run by Ross McCook from Heart for Youth Mentoring. “Training ensured mentors were offering their mentees all that they can to meet their potential, while at the same time creating a rewarding mentoring experience for themselves,” explains Jo.

Carabiner Mentoring is a part of The Cube, a collective impact organisation focused on facilitating the development of equal and reciprocal relationships between organisations and the young people who use their services.

About The Cube
The Cube is an innovative, youth-led initiative, which exists to support young people with disabilities, empowering them to make informed choices about services that best meet their individual needs and enabling them to lead meaningful lives.
All Cube partners help young people to participate in fun and productive ways in their community, and feel connected and proud to be a part of something special. Through The Cube, young people have the opportunity to participate in everything from education, health and recreation to life skills, personal growth and employment activities.
The Cube works with all young people with disabilities who live, work, study or play in the local community and are modelling leadership and innovation to the wider youth & disability sectors. Currently, partners are based in Auckland and Christchurch, and are looking to extend their reach to work with young people from all around New Zealand.
Find out more at www.thecube.org.nz

ENDS

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