Act for Kids Gold Coast team has developed a Youth Advisory Committee, aimed at exploring ways to engage and work with young people and their families. As part of this initiative, the committee has developed a Youth Adventure Program (YAP), an outreach activity-based program for young people, held during the school holidays.
In January 2013, seven young men were invited to attend the first Youth Adventure Program with our Family Support Worker, Nathan Castle. The three-day program included outdoor activities such as a high ropes course, snorkelling at Cook Island and hiking Mount Warning in Northern NSW. The Gold Coast Suns has generously offered a small grant of $2,500 to continue to roll out this program for the approaching October and January school holidays.
The second Youth Adventure Program was held during the April school holidays and was focussed on engaging young women. Specialist In-Home Support Worker, June Fenton, along with three Family Support Workers; Jade, Prue and Rhian, facilitated a three day program for 10 young women that included a high ropes course, dancing, bowling, cooking, craft and art.
Act for Kids Intensive Family Support Leader, Deb Olsen, said These two programs have been highly successful in building young peoples self-esteem, providing them with an opportunity to make friends and to develop personal goals. Its a great way for young people to connect with Act for Kids as an organisation and know that they are valued and important in the work we do with families.
