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CONNECT
The organisations which host the participants will be provided with mentor training, support and
awareness presentations focusing on harm prevention. These presentations will be free of charge and available to all members.
Aim to get and keep kids involved in engaging community activities (e.g. sport or music) that would otherwise be at risk
of disengaging* from society through their behaviour.
Aim to work with clubs and organisations to highlight the benefits of a solid, positive club culture, which promotes
respectful behaviours, mateship, support and a sense of belonging.
* By disengaging we mean - criminal acts, anti-social behaviour.
Program outline
Work with youth workers, teachers, community groups and clubs to identify young people who require and would benefit from our support.
Provide training for appropriate role models within the organisation or club who are suitable to act as mentors and support persons for young people.
Identify how the young people need our support.
- Equipment and apparel.
- Getting there.
- Staying there - keeping their level of motivation.
- A reason to stay there.
- Benefits of Club involvement.
- Understanding of personal rewards.
We present to the clubs our Impact Presentation which deals with:
Loss and grief.
Mateship.
Violence.
Decision making.
We are a resource to clubs and organisations in terms of referring issues to other appropriate agencies for support. We will form a bridge with schools and
provide a consistent approach between the clubs.
The foundation has employed a program coordinator to liaise with clubs and set up the initial training programs including mentoring and mandatory
reporting.
The program coordinator will be the key contact and support person for youth mentors. Complex issues ie. episodes of abuse at home/school etc. which
require affirmative action and support as identified by youth mentors during their work with the participants will be discussed with the program
coordinator and appropriate referrals or notifications made.
The program coordinator will meet with all young people referred to the program and identify priorities in terms of support. Assessments of financial
support required will be made and budget principles applied. Financial support will be inclusive of but not restricted to - registration fees, apparel,
transport costs of attending sessions, training, match days (private vehicle, public transport, taxi etc).
Evaluation of the program will occur at participant and stakeholder level (ie. parent, carer, club/organisation) at both the midway and end point of the
program. Feedback will be sought via questionnaire and interview including a pre and post follow up design survey. A follow up survey will be undertaken
12 months after completion of involvement in the program in order to evaluate longer term impact. Numbers of participants in the program and attendees at
presentations will be evaluated.
Program aims
The program specifically addresses 4 areas which are identified by the Office for Youth as Priority areas.
1) Youth Justice System - The program will target young people who are at risk of engaging in or those who are exiting the criminal justice system by
using already established links and its proven track record working with the Sturt Blue Light program and youth workers as a starting point for the referral
process. The program will be marketed to stakeholders via its network and focus strongly on young people with this issue. The ultimate aim of the foundation
is to protect the community by assisting young people to be more socially and morally responsible in terms of their behaviour, specifically focusing on harm
and crime prevention.
2) Homelessness - Through its established networks the foundation will work with youth workers, Housing SA case managers and Social Security case managers
to identify young people who are unable to engage in community based activities secondary to the financial burden of living independently or the lack of a fixed
address.
3) Attainment and Transitions - The foundation will seek referrals from schools, sporting clubs, ICAN case managers, OPAL coordinators and youth workers
in order to assist young people with issues which effect their attendance at school or their ability to seek employment. A meeting has been arranged with the
Director of ICAN and Marion OPAL coordinator in order to define the optimal way that the foundation should work with these at risk young people and enhance the
program that they are currently involved in.
4) Build Youth Sector Capacity - The foundation is a recent addition to the youth network and will serve as an adjunct to other well established and
highly functioning organisations. The specific focus on at risk young people can only benefit the community as it offers opportunities for young people to
understand the impact of risky and anti social behaviours while actively reengaging them into focused and inspiring community based activities. There will be
an emphasis on the inclusion of marginalized youth into the program in order to offer a sense of belonging and ways in which to establish and maintain peer
relationships.
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