YOUTH & EDUCATION PROJECTS - COMMUNITY & CAREER CONNECTIONS
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Berry Street Victoria: Lisa worked closely with Yea High School to increase and enhance the school’s connections to the community. This was achieved through the establishment of STEP Ahead (Study, Training & Employment Program). This program encouraged students to make a commitment to stay engaged with school, outside studies or employment. This was formalised through a Pledge Event where students received support and recognition from the wider community.
Lisa arranged and implemented community breakfasts where links were created with businesses, community groups and individuals. These links were then utilised by the students as they sought mentors and work experience opportunities.
The Challenge Program was another initiative that Lisa supported. This project ensured that all year ten students spent every Wednesday of the school year engaged in work experience, external studies or commencing VCE (Victorian Certificate of Education) subjects. Lisa assisted with arrangements for career days, work experience, mock employment interviews and the involvement of students in community based activities such as volunteer work, festivals and community art activities.
The Advance Project focused on year nine students; Lisa often worked with groups of five or six students and assisted them to create projects that would benefit other members of the community. Some examples included the building of steps for public use at the Yea Community Shed; street stalls to raise money for local volunteer and service groups; the running of art activities at local primary schools. This project aimed to highlight the positive, valuable contributions that young people are capable of making and for the students to form stronger bonds within their communities.
INCREASED PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN THE SCHOOL
Lisa’s role in this project was to assist in ascertaining the reasons behind the decline in parental involvement in Yea High School and also to identify any needs or views the parents may have in relation to improving their children’s school experience. Lisa developed a survey format and then personally contacted over 80% of the parents of students from Yea High School to conduct the survey interviews. Lisa collated these statistics and the finding were utilised by the School Board.
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Lisa’s final role as an Education Project Worker with Berry Street Victoria was to assist schools in the Shire of Murrindindi and support students after the devastating events of the Black Saturday Bushfires.
Lisa’s role with Berry Street Victoria’s Connect For Kids Program was focused on providing youth with positive life experiences and strengthening their sense of connectedness to their community. To encourage young people to be the best that they can be.