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As we head towards year's end and busily plan time with our family, it is also timely to stop and reflect on the great impact The Bridge Project has had this year in supporting, improving skills, and providing employment prospects for some of Victoria’s most marginalised young people.
I would like to thank the many community volunteers who continue to provide governance, leadership, support and inspiration to the Project, helping us enable young offenders to rebuild their lives.
Sherilyn Hanson
Manager - The Bridge Project
PS Put Friday 14 May 2010 in your diary and join us at the next YMCA Fundraising Ball. | |
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Are you looking for staff over the busy summer period, or financial support to help subsidise the cost of providing training and mentoring to new workers? If so, the YMCA Bridge Project may be ideal for your business.
The Bridge Project provides support, training and employment opportunities to disadvantaged young people who have broken the cycle of crime, poverty and imprisonment. We can help by providing you with trained people willing to work over the summer months.
For further information, call The Bridge Project Manager – Sherilyn Hanson on 0421 177 569 or email bridgeproject@ymca.org.au. |
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Click to read the discussion paper. |
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A recent Victorian Government Parliamentary Inquiry referenced the Bridge Project on several occasions as an example of a highly successful model to reduce the rate of high volume crimes.
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Bridge Project Patron Mick Malthouse with Simon and Matt. |
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Matt, a young man with a troubled past, blew away the audience of 500 at the annual Bridge Project Breakfast, by sharing his journey from detention and homelessness to employment, alongside his boss Simon McAuliffe.
He travels four hours a day to do his job, which Simon says is one example of why working with Matt had been deeply rewarding for himself and his staff. Read the story in The Age.
Other inspiring speakers included World Vision’s Tim Costello, Patron Mick Malthouse and the Victorian Attorney General Rob Hulls who said The Bridge Project "is breathing life into the idea of a fair go".
Thank you to all who attended. We raised $20,000, which allows us to provide support, training and employment for one young person. |
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"It’s great to see such good work being done to help improve the employment prospects of some of our most marginalised young people... And it’s also great to see industry getting behind these sorts of initiatives and giving a helping hand to those who need a bit of assistance to enter the workforce."
The Hon Brendon O’Connor Minister for Home Affairs
Fifty people, including employers, young people and Bridge Project Council members were present to hear the official announcement of a three year funding agreement from the Minister for Home Affairs Hon. Brendan O’Connor and the Federal Minister for Finance Hon. Lindsay Tanner.
This will help the Project to increase support, training and employment opportunities to young offenders. YMCA Perth were also successful in receiving funding to implement the Bridge Project in WA in 2010. Read more |
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Rami working in the Small
Parts Paint Area,
Ford Broadmeadows |
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Workplace Giving
Add YMCA Victoria as a charity of choice to your Workplace Giving program. Workplace giving is a convenient and tax efficient way to financially support the Bridge Project. To find out more contact Olivia Passmore on (03) 9403 5000 or email olivia.passmore@ymca.org.au.
Sponsor a young person
Contribute to the cost of support, education or
work placement for a young person trying to rebuild their life and receive regular updates of their progress. Donate now. |
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Young people debate Bills in
the Parliamentary Chambers. |
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Five young people represented The Bridge Project at this year’s YMCA Youth Parliament program held at Parliament House.
The group debated on behalf of young people in custody on a Bill seeking "Provision of effective and sustainable programs to help reduce the recidivism rate of young offenders, through employment and education".
After some lively debate and lots of 'here heres', the Bill was passed and will be presented along with other bills to the Minister for Youth Affairs Hon. James Merlino. A special thanks to YMCA Australia who sponsored the Bridge Project team. |
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