Doxa School Bendigo is a program of Doxa Youth Foundation which provides essential services to disadvantaged children and young people (aged between 11 and 15) with social and/or emotional difficulties who are finding it difficult to stay engaged in mainstream schooling.
The LUCRF Community Partnership Trust has provided support to the Doxa School Bendigo’s Afternoon Program – an alternative to mainstream education for children and young people who are at risk of partial or non school attendance.
There is ample evidence to support the notion that if children disconnect from mainstream education before the age of 16, they are at a greater risk of becoming offenders. Hence this program is crucial for keeping young people engaged in learning.
Doxa’s Afternoon Program model involves a six month school-based supported learning and development program followed by a 12 month transition support program. The program aims to build students’ confidence to encourage them to lead healthy happy lives and contribute positively to society.
Youth Projects provides health, outreach, community, employment, education and training services to individuals experiencing disadvantage, unemployment, homelessness or drug and alcohol related issues.
Youth Projects uses an innovative outreach model that takes medical and support staff directly onto Melbourne’s streets where they can make a real difference to the health of Melbourne’s homeless population.
The Community Partnership Trust has supported Youth Projects Living Room project for more than two years, and the CPT’s 2012 funding will enable Youth Projects to expand their psychiatric care offering to include a ‘Street Psych’ program. This initiative takes psychiatric care to those who might not otherwise receive it.
A Living Room Story
The Cottage, an initiative of the Sisters of Charity in conjunction with St Vincent’s, serves as a hospital in a home-style environment that has been set up for those who are homeless, or at risk of being homeless.
Short-term health care and support is provided in a safe and responsive environment, allowing for a smoother transition back into the community following hospitalisation.
In 2010 and 2011, the LUCRF Community Partnership Trust provided support for the purchase of a bariatric wheelchair and bed. The equipment helped to increase the number of referrals to The Cottage and also provided support for staff who transported patients to and from the hospital to The Cottage facilities.
The Upper Yarra Community House (UYCH) is a community-based organisation which provides a range of programs and services to the local community. As a Registered Training Organisation, UYCH delivers accredited courses covering a wide variety of vocational areas, including automotive, hospitality, horticulture, community services, home and community care, and children’s services.
UYCH is based in Yarra Junction east of Melbourne, a region where a significant level of disadvantage is experienced by many members of the community, particularly due to the area’s social and geographic isolation.
The Community Partnership Trust is providing financial support to the UYCH’s Community College Young Mums VCAL Program. The program involves specialised training for young women providing the opportunity to complete secondary school, vocational education and training. It also offers mentoring and support in parenting skills.
Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE (NMIT) has a very diverse student base with people from a large range of multi-cultural backgrounds (birthplaces are spread over 19 countries, 18 of which have English as their second language) and diverse learning needs.
The Work Education Centre was established in 1977 to assist people with disabilities to gain access to opportunities for workplace training and employment. The Centre began with an intake of 14 students and has grown to more than 180, with enrolments from the north of Melbourne, as well as students from other metropolitan and regional areas.
The Community Partnership Trust has funded the development of a transition model for students with disabilities, to provide them with intensive mentoring and support to successfully make the move from education to employment. This necessitates strong community linkages and partnerships. The idea is not only to obtain but maintain employment.
The Work Education Centre offers three nationally accredited courses, which include certificates in Hospitality, Theatre Production and Transition Education.
Social support services to students and families are also provided, which assist with obtaining and maintaining employment, as well as increasing social inclusion to maximise community participation.
Spectrum Migration Resource Centre (MRC) operates across Melbourne's north-west region, offering a hub-style service to support migrants and refugees in reaching their full potential in Australia. It was established in 1980 to work with migrants and refugees to help them successfully settle and participate in all aspects of community life.
The support provided by the Community Partnership Trust has helped to fund a Homework Support Program, aimed at improving educational and life outcomes for students from refugee and migrant backgrounds, and to assist them in their settlement and integration into Australian society.
The project helps disadvantaged students from newly arrived backgrounds, including those from African, Middle Eastern, Afghan and Burmese communities, based predominantly in the Darebin local government area.
The Homework Support Program helps to increase the ability of young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds to undertake school studies and enhance numeracy and literacy skills. It strengthens their parents’ ability to engage with the school system/community and support their child’s education, and helping to reduce social isolation.