|
Dear Valued WAYS Supporter, News from the TOP
The end of 2009 is upon us and following a turbulent time in the middle the year as we transitioned out of delivering Australian Government employment programmes we are pleased to say that the year is set to end well for WAYS. There have been a number of key achievements that are worth celebrating - our school POEM, following its initial registration for one year has been recommended for a five year registration period by the NSW Board of Studies auditor, our training organisation is expanding its scope to include Certificate III accredited training and traineeships, our music programmes have seen a significant increase in the numbers of young people attending, we have opened a legal service, our youth health clinic now includes an optometry service, we have managed to find a way to keep the Maroubra office open for now, and
last but not least our volunteers have contributed a whopping 200 hours of time so far to help us come closer to achieving our vision.
This will be our last WAYS & MEANS for 2009 and I would like to take this opportunity to thankyou for your support this past year and offer to you warm wishes for the coming Christmas and holiday period. See you in 2010.
Fundraising with a difference!
Like many charities, WAYS needs to think creatively about how to encourage individuals, companies and foundations to give the much needed financial support to help the work of the organisation. WAYS has joined ammado - an online global community of individuals, not for profit organisations and socially responsible companies who are assisted to connect up together to make a difference. ammado provides the tools necessary to support online campaigning, fundraising, engagement and communitication. To find out more about ammado, to join, or to give to WAYS click here and you will be linked to the ammado website.
Introducing Isabella Dickson, Safe Summer Survival Coordinator
WAYS would like to introduce Isabella Dickson who has been employed as the SSS Coordinator for the coming summer. Isabella is pictured left in the blue shirt at her first public speaking engagement - the official launch of the second youth sexual health clinic WAYS Maroubra.
WAYS: Isabella, tell our readers a little about yourself?
Isabella:
Well, I am 19 years old and am in my second year of studying Criminology at Sydney University. I’m very interested in government and the creation of policy. Since WAYS is an NGO it has been very interesting to see how policy and government funding works, whether effective or not, within the community. I was fortunate enough to receive the Woollahra Council Young Citizen of the Year for 2009, due to my efforts with WAYS and other community organisations. I am a confident and committed person, and I aim to put the most into every situation. That’s why working within a project based environment is perfect, as I can set goals and these can be successfully achieved as the programme continues.
WAYS: Why are you interested in Safe Summer Survival and the programmes run by WAYS?
Isabella: It is important that within every community there are stable institutions whereby young people and their families can come to seek advice, education, and shelter from troubled homes/social environments. Each programme aims to provide a young person with a sense of direction and it makes it all worth while when you see the positive effects of this. The Safe Summer Survival Programme provides people within the community with education. It is provided in a casual and non confrontational way, which for most young people is the best way to tackle education, especially sensitive topics like Safe Sex, Alcohol and Drug usage.
WAYS: How did you go about getting this job?
Isabella:
I began with the programme as a volunteer peer educator in 2007, when I was in my final year of high school. Since then I have continued as a paid peer educator. During January of 2009 I was lucky enough to be promoted for a month to co-ordinator role. It was so exciting being able to run the programme. From my month in this position I began to understand the more intricate going-on’s of the programme and I enjoyed every moment of it. When I was offered the position as co-ordinator for Safe Summer Survival 2009/10 I was very honored as it was something I felt comfortable doing and felt that I would be able to take the programme successfully into its 10th year.
WAYS: What have you learnt so far? And what do you want to learn?
Isabella:
I have been co-ordinator since August, and in the past two months I have learnt so much. From never writing a funding submission before or chairing a meeting, these past two months have taught me the ins and outs of both processes. I have learnt how to manage budgets, hold information sessions and promote both WAYS and Safe Summer Survival through quick and effective blurbs. As the project now begins to employ young people, I look forward to learning about the interview process, and how to take control over a group of employees. I hope that my prior experience as a peer educator and my membership on sporting teams will allow me to be a responsible and respectful leader. Furthermore, I look forward to the challenges that the year will bring, and I hope that this Safe Summer Survival will be just as successful, if not more, as the previous years.
Welcome Isabella and we look forward to the contribution you will make.
WAYS joins those who honour the late Virginia Chadwick
Click www.ways.org.au/default.asp to read the transcript of the October 20th, 2009 Hansard.
'Spot light on Practice' - Students of POEM fundraising
An essential part of the WAYS philosophy is to engage young people in as many ways possible in the design and delivery of what we do. To have fun, to organise, and to learn new skills are an important part of any programme developed to meet the needs of young people. What follows is an example of all of these elements at work within POEM - our registered school providing an education for those young people who have become disconnected from mainstream education.
The POEM students organised a $10.00 carwash to raise money for the end of term celebration excursion to Jamberoo Recreation Park. They washed twenty cars and successfully raised $200.
Janelle Fewell, POEM staff member says "We’re always looking for ways to teach our students valuable real-world lessons. Alastair and I encouraged the students to get creative and to have fun working together to help raise funds for something that was important to them. The carwash not only raised funds but encouraged the development of skills to make independent, educated and responsible decisions with the money raised."
Janelle continues, "The carwash was a hands-on experience that helped to build school spirit and create a partnership between students and teachers outside of the classroom. The class realised that they should give their own time and effort for their school and staff believe it will be important in their journey toward adulthood."
The students share their thoughts about the day:
“I felt good and independent washing cars to make money for our excursion. It was tiring but the end result is well worth the hard work. It was embarrassing but I didn’t care because Jamberoo will be fun.” Keisha
“We washed cars for $10. It was alright because it was a hot day and the money is going to good use.” Luke
“I had a fun time at the carwash even though I didn’t really like the idea of having to wash cars.” Milly
“It was funny when everyone got wet and threw water and the WAYS receptionist Bianca and it felt good to raise money for ourselves. “ Lucy
“I felt like laughing at myself because I have never washed cars before.” Terence
“We washed so many cars and I was tired but I did it because I want to have fun at Jamberoo.” Marshall
A special thanks to Bunnings at Rose Bay who kindly donated the carwash essentials and the accommodating staff at Waverley Bowling Club who permitted the use of their premises on the day.
|
