We’ve had a busy few months as we adapt to the latest pandemic restrictions and continue to innovate to support vulnerable young people. Below are a few of the things you might have missed. Read on to find out about:
- Our new video series to help young people manage their money
- Our new Working for Victoria staff members
- The successful launch of our Walk in My Shoes exhibition, including the amazing augmented reality experience
- Your opportunity to Run Melbourne to support young people experiencing homelessness
- Our new Job Advocates who will be helping young people and other vulnerable people find work
- An award for our Rotary partner recognising their support for vulnerable children and families
- The latest from Hand Brake Turn, including a fun adventure outing, and young people starting work for our fiXit social enterprise.
Simple steps to managing your money
This week we launched our new video series that will provide advice and support for young people about how to budget, manage their money and plan for the future.
Find out more and watch the first video in the series here.
We’ll share more videos regularly over the coming weeks, so keep an eye out on the website and our social media channels.
Jobs that make a difference
This year we partnered with the Victorian Government’s Working for Victoria initiative to create seven new, short-term roles for people looking for work that provide additional support for vulnerable and disadvantaged young people in our community.
Each of them has a fascinating story about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their lives, and how they came to Concern Australia.
Find out more about Issam, Thanh, Ella, Manmeet, Florent, and Meghna in their stories on our website (just click on a name and the link will take you to their story).
Our Working for Victoria staff members recently met Katie Hall, the State Member for Footscray, at a special event at our Braybrook site. Find out more in this story.
Walk in My Shoes exhibition
In May we had a fantastic turnout for the launch of Walk in My Shoes, our interactive exhibition that showcases the artistic work of young people and raises awareness of the issue of youth homelessness.
The exhibition includes a powerful augmented reality experience that follows the journey of a young person through homelessness.
Find out more and view the augmented reality experience.
You can preview the experience on the 8th Wall blog.
To view the Walk in My Shoes exhibition in person, visit the new pop-up shop at the Bendigo Bank in Lygon Street, Carlton, from 26 July to 6 August.
Run Melbourne to support young people experiencing homelessness
Each year a small group of passionate people enter Run Melbourne as part of the Steps for Youth Homelessness team to raise money to directly support young people who are doing it tough.
It’s the most important yearly fundraising event for the Steps Outreach Service, which doesn’t receive any government funding. Last year the team raised more than $20,000 despite the impact of the pandemic.
This year Run Melbourne is on Sunday, 25 July, and we’d love you to be part of it to help support vulnerable young people experiencing homelessness.
Click through to join our Steps for Youth Homelessness team.
When you get to the page, click on the green ‘Join Team’ button and follow the instructions to register and set up your fundraising page for Concern Australia.
If you have any questions, contact Anne Mitchell on anne.mitchell@concernaustralia.org.au
Rotary partners awarded for making a difference
We’re delighted that Rotary Central Melbourne has been recognised by the Rotary community for working with us to make a difference for vulnerable children and young people.
They recently received a coveted District Youth Award for the Steps Outreach Service Hope for the Future Scholarship program, which helps disadvantaged school-aged children to continue pursuing their dreams, stay connected to education and overcome the challenges that they face. Often these children have experienced homelessness and family violence.
Jobs Victoria Advocates are here to help you find work
Looking for work can be tough in the best of circumstances. With our whole community reeling from the impact of the pandemic, it’s now even harder for many people.
That’s why we’re delighted to partner with the Victorian Government to help people find the right job for them.
Our two new Jobs Victoria Advocates, David and Usman, will work from our south-east metropolitan Melbourne office in Dandenong, where they will connect job seekers with the services they need to get back into the work force.
Find out more about how the Job Advocates can support you, and get in touch with them.
We’ll be introducing you properly to David and Usman soon. Stay tuned!
Hand Brake Turn students have an amazing race
Our CREWY team recently hosted a fantastic amazing race activity on Phillip Island for our latest group of Hand Brake Turn students.
Held on the last day of class for students from our Dandenong and Braybrook sites, it created an opportunity for them to celebrate all they’ve achieved and have fun with their Hand Brake Turn trainers and the CREWY team.
Young people start working for Hand Brake Turn fiXit
July 15 is World Youth Skills Day. We’re excited that in the lead-up to this important marker, we’ve just started employing select Hand Brake Turn graduates on short-term placements as trainee mechanics in our fiXit social enterprise.
Keep an eye out for upcoming stories about these inspiring young people!
Book your car in for a service at our Braybrook or Dandenong site and provide work for these young people as they develop their skills and get started on their career path.
Donate now to support children and young people
This year we celebrate 50 years of providing hope and care to vulnerable and disadvantaged children and young people.
You can be part of it. Please donate to our Tax Appeal.
Find out more about how your donation will make a difference for young people like Kacey.
