Young people at risk benefit from Community Wellbeing Grants

24 Aug 2021

Thanks to the grant, Youth Futures Altone Youth Centre has been able to support 41 young people with their health and mental wellbeing as well as employment, training and education through its case management program.

Case management assists at-risk and marginalised young people between the ages of 11 and 25 by connecting them with medical treatment and counselling services, education and training providers, legal assistance, and job networks. The program also provides assistance with job seeking and applications for government and community housing. 

Debbie Hindley, Coordinator of Altone Youth Centre said the Community Wellbeing Grants program has been both supportive and effective at enhancing the lives of young people in the area.

“Thanks to the grant, we have been able to support young people in a practical way, by providing vouchers for essential items, such as, public transport, school bags, socks, shoes, underwear and other clothing or toiletries.

“Being able to access these items helps marginalised young people increase confidence and self-worth which helps in other areas of their lives, like securing employment and accessing the services they need."

Debbie said the relationships youth workers are able to build with young people at-risk through case management can have long-term positive impacts on the lives of those helped by the program.

“Marginalised young people don’t often trust case workers straight away. They also have other complex challenges in their lives that can prevent them from seeking support.

“Building trusting relationships with our clients starts by helping provide for their practical and immediate needs. Once we have built that foundation, we’re able to support them with the more challenging issues they’re facing, ensuring they are given the opportunities they need to thrive.”

Altone Youth Centre was one of ten recipients in St John of God Midland Private Hospital’s 2020 Community Wellbeing Grants program. The program is now being held every two years, with the next round of submissions expected to be open in mid-2022.