CURRENT PROGRAMS
YOUTH ENGAGEMENT
WHAT IS IT
Youth engagement creates a safe space for young people to gather, make friends, eat food, enjoy activities, and build relationship with positive role models in a friendly and caring environment. Its location, ease of access, and nonclinical nature overcome many barriers facing young people’s ability to engage, supporting their participation and involvement. The service works towards Hopestreet’s measurable outcomes, improving participants: Overall Wellbeing, Self Confidence, Connectedness to the Community, Youth Employability, and Engagement in Education. This service is scalable and is designed to suitably cater for larger cohorts of participants.
WHY WE DO IT
Research indicates high numbers of young people in the City of Playford are disengaged from education, employment, and community (City of Playford Socio-demographic, employment and education profile, 2013) (State of the City report, Playford, 2018). ‘Playford Youth: A New Story’ (Ali Elder, Catherine Earl, 2016), outlines the key responsibility that positive role models and opportunities to develop employability skills have for young people in Playford to achieve successful educational and employment outcomes. By creating a safe, fun, and accessible space in Playford where young people can build relationship with positive role models, Hopestreet’s Youth Engagement service strives to improve the statistics surrounding youth disengagement in Playford and make a meaningful difference in the lives of local young people.
Youth engagement creates a safe space for young people to gather, make friends, eat food, enjoy activities, and build relationship with positive role models in a friendly and caring environment. Its location, ease of access, and nonclinical nature overcome many barriers facing young people’s ability to engage, supporting their participation and involvement. The service works towards Hopestreet’s measurable outcomes, improving participants: Overall Wellbeing, Self Confidence, Connectedness to the Community, Youth Employability, and Engagement in Education. This service is scalable and is designed to suitably cater for larger cohorts of participants.
WHY WE DO IT
Research indicates high numbers of young people in the City of Playford are disengaged from education, employment, and community (City of Playford Socio-demographic, employment and education profile, 2013) (State of the City report, Playford, 2018). ‘Playford Youth: A New Story’ (Ali Elder, Catherine Earl, 2016), outlines the key responsibility that positive role models and opportunities to develop employability skills have for young people in Playford to achieve successful educational and employment outcomes. By creating a safe, fun, and accessible space in Playford where young people can build relationship with positive role models, Hopestreet’s Youth Engagement service strives to improve the statistics surrounding youth disengagement in Playford and make a meaningful difference in the lives of local young people.
YOUTH OUTREACH
WHAT IS IT
Youth outreach meets young people ‘where they’re at’ in the community and supports them to engage in healthy
behaviours and positive future pathways. This service brings role models, food, and activities to at-risk disengaged
young people to build relationship and trust, from which referrals can be made to address the needs of the
participants and to support them for a positive future. The service works towards Hopestreet’s measurable
outcomes.
WHY WE DO IT
There are a number of barriers Playford young people face that make engaging in education, employment, and community difficult. Although there are numerous services in the area that are equipped to support and address these issues, many young people either are not aware of them or are unable to access them due to their location, confidence, or mistrust of institutions, among other reasons. Youth Outreach ensures young people without support get the support and care they need by bringing it to them in the form of relationship, food, and referrals.
Youth outreach meets young people ‘where they’re at’ in the community and supports them to engage in healthy
behaviours and positive future pathways. This service brings role models, food, and activities to at-risk disengaged
young people to build relationship and trust, from which referrals can be made to address the needs of the
participants and to support them for a positive future. The service works towards Hopestreet’s measurable
outcomes.
WHY WE DO IT
There are a number of barriers Playford young people face that make engaging in education, employment, and community difficult. Although there are numerous services in the area that are equipped to support and address these issues, many young people either are not aware of them or are unable to access them due to their location, confidence, or mistrust of institutions, among other reasons. Youth Outreach ensures young people without support get the support and care they need by bringing it to them in the form of relationship, food, and referrals.
MENTOR GROUPS
WHAT IS IT
Mentor Groups provides a safe space for young people to gather in small groups of up to 15 participants to make friends, eat food, enjoy activities, and build relationship with positive role models in a friendly and caring environment. Its location, ease of access, and nonclinical nature overcome many barriers facing young people’s ability to engage, supporting their participation and involvement. Excursions and alternate locations are utilised to provide unique and important experiences for participants. The service works towards Hopestreet’s measurable outcomes and operates throughout the school term.
WHY WE DO IT
By limiting participant numbers, Mentor Groups achieves greater opportunities for young people to have meaningful interactions, discussions, and connections with both mentors and peers. The smaller group focus promotes relationship development and creates a less intimidating environment, supporting young people who may experience difficulty forming relationships or anxiety in social settings. As a result, this service enables mentors to identify and address the needs of participants in meaningful ways.
Mentor Groups provides a safe space for young people to gather in small groups of up to 15 participants to make friends, eat food, enjoy activities, and build relationship with positive role models in a friendly and caring environment. Its location, ease of access, and nonclinical nature overcome many barriers facing young people’s ability to engage, supporting their participation and involvement. Excursions and alternate locations are utilised to provide unique and important experiences for participants. The service works towards Hopestreet’s measurable outcomes and operates throughout the school term.
WHY WE DO IT
By limiting participant numbers, Mentor Groups achieves greater opportunities for young people to have meaningful interactions, discussions, and connections with both mentors and peers. The smaller group focus promotes relationship development and creates a less intimidating environment, supporting young people who may experience difficulty forming relationships or anxiety in social settings. As a result, this service enables mentors to identify and address the needs of participants in meaningful ways.
CAFE & RETAIL SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
WHAT IS IT
Hospitality and Retail Skills Development provides hands-on experience, mentoring, and training for young people to develop their skills and capabilities for employment. Based in the Hopestreet Social in Davoren Park, participants are mentored to engage in hospitality and retail roles within a real-world, non-clinical, non-intimidating supportive setting. Through mentors guiding young people at their own pace, skills are built upon each week towards competency and job readiness.
WHY WE DO IT
Youth unemployment is a critical issue in the City of Playford. In Davoren Park, 61% of young people are unemployed, standing at eight times higher than the Adelaide average (State of the City report, Playford, 2018). The Hospitality and Retail Skills Development service aims to address this by providing a safe, supportive, and accessible space for young people to develop the practical and social-emotional skills needed for employment. The service empowers young people by imparting essential job-ready skills like communication, problem-solving, and financial literacy, which are highly valued in the job market. Additionally, it builds community engagement and social connections, contributing to a sense of belonging and supporting young people with their goals. This service also addresses various aspects of a young person’s well-being, including mental health and emotional intelligence, promoting a healthier and happier lifestyle.
Hospitality and Retail Skills Development provides hands-on experience, mentoring, and training for young people to develop their skills and capabilities for employment. Based in the Hopestreet Social in Davoren Park, participants are mentored to engage in hospitality and retail roles within a real-world, non-clinical, non-intimidating supportive setting. Through mentors guiding young people at their own pace, skills are built upon each week towards competency and job readiness.
WHY WE DO IT
Youth unemployment is a critical issue in the City of Playford. In Davoren Park, 61% of young people are unemployed, standing at eight times higher than the Adelaide average (State of the City report, Playford, 2018). The Hospitality and Retail Skills Development service aims to address this by providing a safe, supportive, and accessible space for young people to develop the practical and social-emotional skills needed for employment. The service empowers young people by imparting essential job-ready skills like communication, problem-solving, and financial literacy, which are highly valued in the job market. Additionally, it builds community engagement and social connections, contributing to a sense of belonging and supporting young people with their goals. This service also addresses various aspects of a young person’s well-being, including mental health and emotional intelligence, promoting a healthier and happier lifestyle.
