StreetWork - Turning vunerable young adults' lives around.
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| Sonya (left) explaining how StreetWork operates on the Northern Beaches |
Sonya explained that StreetWork aims to help teens troubled by destructive influences and behaviour to turn their lives around through one-on-one mentoring: using a program called KickStart. Kickstart’s early intervention helps avoid a downward spiral into crime, disengagement from education and mental health issues. This program is very different to the solo traditional clinical approach (Psychologists, psychiatrists and where necessary, drug addiction professionals) - all delivered in offices or clinics; all unfamiliar and rather confined settings which often unsettle young people and frequently do not assist a satisfactory outcome.
The starting point part of the Kickstart program is called Outreach. Outreach is facilitated through professional youth workers with the skills to guide troubled teens through a mentoring process; often occurring in neutral, frequently at outdoor places like a seat in a railway station or park, a coffee shop, or a skate park. Sometimes the youth also lack life skills - how public transport works, money skills, and they are helped in open settings - hence the name StreetWork.
Sonya said StreetWork helps them to navigate the services they may need. This approach and the program aims to assist them see the risks and manage them through their crisis. The youth workers also help the troubled teens to discover and address the deeper issues that underlie the crisis. This approach also puts the young person in charge, as they are the only ones who can make the change.
At-risk youth rarely ask for help - StreetWork’s outreach programs help them connect before a crisis occurs. Should the teen become engaged with the Police or the courts, StreetWork’s volunteers reach out to help them through their 24/7 advocacy service. Others are referred via partner charities and government agencies.
This approach and program ensures that any immediate issues are addressed through crisis management, followed by helping them get their lives back via their Kickstart Mentoring program. Each mentoring program is tailored to meet the young person's specific needs.
Plans often involve a mix of the following:
- Issues management - family relationship, anger management, mental health, drug and alcohol dependency
- Personal development - fitness programs, skill building, developing personal strength, self-empowerment
- Practical support - finding employment, housing, legal assistance, return to school
KickStart is supported by skills building to develop abilities, confidence, and relationships. The mentor often accompanies the youth to any counselling professional appointment in the first couple of visits to ensure they are comfortable and understand the process.
The Aftercare follow-up program helps teens ease back into their new life after they have graduated from the mentoring program.
IMPRESSIVE RESULTS
85% of people who enter the StreetWork Program achieve their goals and graduate. The benefits to society are not only getting young people to enjoy a productive and happier life but avoiding possible juvenile detention and prison terms.
A social impact report* prepared tracking important metrics of young people entering the KickStart mentoring program between 2017 and early 2022 had four key findings:
1. StreetWork Supports Wellbeing
In comparing average baseline and shift scores from all data collected, results show an 11% increase in wellbeing among young people. When looking at the individual journeys of young people who have completed both a baseline and shift survey, results show a 23% increase.
2. Mental Wellness Is a Priority for Young People
Analysis identified four mental wellness factors as priority needs for young people who engage with StreetWork, meaning they have a strong relationship with overall well-being but were scored low by young people.
3. Mentoring Builds Life Skills
Of all outcomes measured, those that experienced the largest shifts were all key life skills. These include the ability to complete education (23%), secure employment (26%) and contribute to the household (22%).
4. Mentoring Strengthens Resilience
KickStart graduates felt more determined, ready to problem solve and able to bounce back from setbacks as compared to young people at the start of their StreetWork journey.
Sonya said that over the last year with Covid there has been a 35% increase in referrals and given that the young people cannot wait, whilst every $50 donated is the cost of a mentor session, the real problem is there is an urgent need for more trained case workers. Unlike other charities, StreetWork can’t get volunteers from the community; they must be trained and approved youth case workers to achieve the one-on-one attention.
The amazing work and positive results are most evident, and the audience were very appreciative of Sonya presentation explaining the wonderful effort in our community that is performed by StreetWork.
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| Sonya being presented with the Certificate of Appreciation by yours truly |
You can Help:
StreetWork holds four fundraising functions a year and a silent auction of goods and services donated by people and businesses in the local community. There are also a number of more direct ways to support their work in the community.
BALGOWLAH ROTARY SUPPORT
Rotary Balgowlah raised $3,000 in a fundraising project devised and managed by Rotarian Bev Yarich called “Recycle for Rotary”. The deposit on bottles and cans collected in dedicated bins located at NRMA caravan park and RAT Park at Warriewood over a period of just over 4 months was banked. Each week a small teams of Rotarians collected bagged and sorted the containers for collection to a recycling facility, all made possible by Bev’s enthusiasm, energy and guidance.
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| Bev presenting Sonya with the monies from the Recycle from Rotary project |
*Report prepared by Humber Social, April 2022
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FORWARD PLANNER
May 3rd 2022 Club Vocational Youth and Community Awards
Balgowlah Rotary Awards Night at Wakehurst Golf Club, Upper Clontarf St, Seaforth 6:00 for 6.30pm
Bookings essential
May or June TBA Cars'n Clues Road Rally -rescheduled
Join the fun for the whole family. Rescheduled from 28th November 2021. Answer clues at spots around the Northern Beaches. Great Prizes. Start at Seaforth Oval.
May 31st 2022 Dr Ray Hodgson Special Event
"Heartbreak in the Himalayas"
Talk by Dr Ray Hodgson about plight of women in Nepal and aim to build a hospital for women in there. A talk well worth listening to.
Manly Leagues Club from 7pm and via Zoom. Plaese RSVP to Rick or Sue.
July 30th 2022 Fundraiser Dance.
Venue is Pittwater RSL with the 3ARO Orchestra & singers
Save the date. More to follow
September 9th 2022 Charity Golf Day & Dinner
Annual Charity Golf day and Dinner at Wakehurst Golf Club.
A great day and evening while raising much needed funds for the projects we support for youth and group in need.
Save the date. Bookings open.
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