The Cleveland Education and Training Centre, situated within the Cleveland Youth Detention Facility in North Queensland established a mentoring program in 2002 to provide individual students with suitable role models from the local community. This paper describes the philosophy of the program, and outlines its role in the reintegration of these at-risk young people into their communities. The rational behind the mentoring programs was based on a recognition that the structure and role of families was changing and these changes impacted on the degree of support available to many adolescents in contemporary society. A major aim of the mentoring program is the youth’s successful transition from detention back to the family and wider community. In addition, it aims to reduce re-offending behavior and open the doors to further education and employment opportunities. The Cleveland mentoring program is unique in terms of its social-cultural context and its philosophy in attempting to reduce the current high rates of young people who re-offend. A recommendation is strongly encouraged evaluating the program’s effectiveness, thereby providing valuable information as to whether the program is obtaining its primary objectives and possible modifications to ensure a successful transition into the community. References