John Gibbs posted on April 20, 2011 15:20
At our last meeting on 19 April Brett Smyth, Personal Development Co-ordinator, for the Greater Liverpool Area with The Salvation Army gave members and guests an update on the current work being done under the umbrella of the Liverpool West Youth Service.
The aim of the service was to work with troubled youth in the area initially at Casula and Lurnea High Schools providing courses in self esteem, anger management, preparation for entering the work force and other areas. It originally was resourced by one full time youth worker and was able to leverage off the vast range of services available from the Salvation Army in the District.
It has now expanded to a third High School in the local area, Miller High School and is resourced by a team of 6 dedicated people who are also involved in the School Chaplaincy Program.
Brett reported on the work currently being done, as well as on new initiatives being investigated including a new program to teach students in the basic skills needed in the hospitality industry, including Barista training. This is being done at the schools and at the Sunshine Cafe in Cabramatta. The focus on lifestyle skills still has a high priority and is the identifying of students at risk of being dropped from their school and working with them. He explained how the “Drum Beat” program and residential camps at the Salvation Army facility at Collaroy on the Northern Beaches are being used to compliment the Service.
New partnership opportunities involving the PCYC at Miller and Mission Australia are also being looked at. Brett plans to visit the club on a quarterly basis to keep us updated of progress.
We are also looking at linking in with Rotary’s RYPEN (Rotary Youth Program of Enrichment), a program for girls and boys of average capabilities aged between 14 and 16 years, possessing qualities of decency, persistence, sincerity and application in everyday life, and who would benefit from further development. The program is a three day live in camp held twice a year at Blue Gum Lodge, Springwood normally in May and September. It runs from Friday through to Sunday.
President Peter Beadle presented Brett with a cheque for $10,000 towards the ongoing costs of operating this Service.
Liverpool West Youth Service was established in 2007 as a joint venture between Rotary Club of Liverpool West and the Salvation Army; our clubs total contributions to this Service now total $75,000.
Reported by Gary Halliday who initiated the Service as President of Liverpool West Rotary Club in 2007 with Major Mark Brooks, by presenting Mark a cheque for $30,000.00