Media coverage - West Australian: Call to give kids drug/alcohol lessons

The WA head of Mission Australia wants more comprehensive drug education in primary schools as children as young as 10 dabble in alcohol and cannabis.

Acting State Director Carmen Acosta said better programs and delivered at a younger age could help the small number of children vulnerable to such drugs in primary school. It would have the more widespread benefit of fortifying students against peer pressure in high school.

Ms Acosta said young people were growing up faster but drug education in primary school appeared ad hoc and in some cases absent or ineffective.

Some children relied on inaccurate information from the internet.

"There is most certainly evidence to show children are dabbling as young as 10," she said.

"The biggest risk time is the first year of high school. We need to fortify them with appropriate information before that."

Ms Acosta said the impact of cannabis and alcohol should not be underestimated. About 80 per cent of people using Mission Australia counselling and rehabilitation had cannabis and alcohol problems.

This compared with only 30 per cent in 1999.

Heroin and amphetamines were bigger problems back then, accounting for half their clients, she said.

"Violence fuelled by alcohol and binge drinking is extremely concerning among young people," Ms Acosta said.

"We are seeing many more young people coming to us concerned about their alcohol use than we have ever seen previously."

Ms Acosta said most children would never have problems with drugs and alcohol but would benefit from getting accurate and age-appropriate information in primary school.

Story originally published in The West Australian on 15 August 2011

Learning life lessons through Catalyst Clemente

When asked why she volunteers, Catalyst Clemente Learning Partner Sarah Carter has a simple answer – she loves helping people to help themselves.

A Reservoir Engineer with Woodside Energy, which is a strong corporate supporter of our services in Western Australia, Sarah has been involved with the Catalyst Clemente program since it was introduced to Mission Australia’s Wattle House two years ago.

Delivered in Perth in partnership with Edith Cowan University, this accessible program enables people who have experienced significant challenges in life, including homelessness, to participate in undergraduate level humanities education. It caters for the particular needs of students by combining education with social support.

Learning Partners like Sarah are recruited from corporate partners and the wider community, and play a vital role in the program. As a Learning Partner, Sarah supports and assists students at weekly study evenings during the semester and with essay writing, research and course material interpretation.

Team Leader Community Development and Catalyst Clemente Coordinator, Mario Gomes, said he has been impressed by Sarah’s unfailing commitment to the program over the past two years, despite the demands of her family and working life.

“She has been with us from the start and has renewed her commitment unit after unit,” he said. “On one occasion, she was very busy at work, but came all the way out to Maddington for the Catalyst learning evening, then went back to her office to complete her work! Sarah had her first baby last year, so we really appreciate the time she gives is valuable.

But for Sarah, the satisfaction she receives from volunteering at Wattle House make it worth the effort: “It is not difficult juggling volunteering with my paid work but I have found it more difficult to fit in spending time with my son, Henry,” she said. “Ultimately, I really enjoy my volunteering time and so try to fit this in around our family routine - my husband helps by picking up the slack at home!

“The most rewarding thing about volunteering is the opportunity to be involved in the greater community doing something that helps others and that is not just about me,” Sarah said.

“Also seeing students graduate from their four subjects as part of the program and move on to further university study or different challenges in their lives with so much more confidence and motivation. The students become great examples for their family and children and end up not just changing their lives but those around them as well.

Mario said its this positive attitude that makes Catalyst volunteers like Sarah an integral part of the program: “Our six Learning Partner volunteers are extraordinary. So often they tell me that they get more out of volunteering that the Catalyst Clemente students do,” he said. “I think that’s because it’s very tangible work. The volunteers help the students to get results and feel so proud to be a part of their success – it’s very interactive.”

For Sarah, student graduation ceremonies are the highpoints of her volunteering year. Seeing the sense of achievement on the faces of the students, she said, make her efforts worthwhile.

“There is so much to gain from getting involved in your community through volunteering activities and I’d recommend it to anyone,” she said. “It is also really important to use volunteering as a way to help people help themselves, which is what the Catalyst Clemente program is all about.”

Find out about current volunteering opportunities at Mission Australia’s Wattle House at our WA Volunteering Opportunities page.

Further reading:

• Woodside volunteers freshen up YASS for Christmas
• Promoting social inclusion: Emerging evidence from the Catalyst-Clemente program
• World opens up for WA Catalyst graduates
  

World opens up for WA Catalyst graduates

A dream has come true for three students of Mission Australia’s Catalyst Clemente program in Western Australia who last week received their University Certificates in Humanities and Arts.

Dressed in graduation regalia, Beverley, Loralei and Amanda joined about 400 Edith Cowan University (ECU) graduates at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre last Sunday.

Before the ceremony, the trio gathered with family and friends at Mission Australia’s Wattle House, which provides support services for people facing significant life challenges. From there, they were all transported by bus to the graduation venue, with several past and present Catalyst students coming along to cheer the women on.

Catalyst Clemente is a free educational program for people who have experienced significant barriers to education. Now run from five Mission Australia sites in partnership with educational institutions, it was established in Western Australia in 2008 in association with Edith Cowan University and sponsored by Woodside Energy. Weekly lectures, which are held at Wattle House, are supplemented by one learning evening each week.

The three Catalyst graduates all agreed that the program had been a journey in self-empowerment.

“I feel like I used to float through life,” said Beverley. “I didn’t have direction, whereas now I know what I want and I now have the avenue to get there.”

Two of the graduates plan to pursue further study at ECU, while the other is studying Community Services at TAFE.

Mission Australia’s WA Catalyst Coordinator Mario Gomes was invited to be the occasional speaker at the graduation event. He thanked ECU for its commitment to the program and urged the graduates to give back to the community no matter what career, profession or business they planned to pursue.

In his well-received address, Mario fondly spoke of the “students, who are the real stars of the program. Their commitment and persistence in the face of all adversity is truly inspirational”.

One student, he told guests, was a young mother of three when she enrolled. She gave birth to her fourth child during her studies and then attended lectures with her baby in the pram.

“Another student,” Mario added, “is a grandmother who had battled through self-doubt and health issues while the third is a sole parent of three children who also overcame personal obstacles to reach this amazing milestone.”

“It was an excellent opportunity to speak about the program and the inspirational stories of the students,” Mario said this week. “As I reminded graduates on the day, ‘Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars’.”

Above image courtesy of Phillips & Father

FebFast - ban booze for a month and help our youth

Feeling worse for wear after the silly season? Why not take part in FebFast and support Mission Australia’s services for young people with serious drug and alcohol issues.

FebFast asks Australians to take a break from the booze during the shortest month. Imagine what 28 alcohol-free days could do for your health and wallet, not to mention waistline - 60 per cent of past FebFast participants lost weight!

By taking part this February you’ll also set a positive example for young Australians. According to the 2007 National Drug Strategy Household Survey, nearly one in 10 young people aged 14 to 19 drink at levels that put them at risk of long-term alcohol-related harm.

In Mission Australia’s National Survey of Young Australians 2010, participants also identified drugs and alcohol as the second-most important issue in Australia today.

Fittingly, any money you raise during FebFast will go towards three Mission Australia services that help young people to overcome drug and alcohol issues.

By forgoing alcohol for four weeks you will contribute to:

• The ongoing management of our Drug and Alcohol Youth Service (DAYS) Residential Rehabilitation program in Western Australia;
• An after-hours mobile support service to operate from the Hindmarsh Centre, which is South Australia’s only youth-specific non-medical sobering-up facility up for young people;
• Maintaining Mission Australia’s Youth Beat bus in Tasmania. Your support will also enable our youth workers to reach out to young people in the Glenorchy area.
• And if you do feel the need to toast a special event (like Valentine’s Day) in February, you can buy a date-stamped ‘Time Out Certificate’ for $25, which gives you a 24-hour break from your FebFast.
• So why not do your body, bank balance and young Australians a favour this February and sign up at www.febfast.com.au. Your $25 ($10 concession) registration fee will kick-start your fundraising.

Once registered, you can build a personalised FebFast page where you can direct your family and friends.

Take a month off the booze this February and make a healthy start to 2011!

Woodside volunteers freshen up YASS for Christmas

Young residents at Mission Australia’s Youth Accommodation and Support Service (YASS) in Perth are enjoying freshly renovated bedrooms thanks to the generosity of Woodside Energy.

Earlier this month more than 80 generous volunteers from Woodside Energy spent two days redecorating six bedrooms for young residents at the Perth service.

As part of the ‘Beds for Christmas’ project, Woodside Energy volunteers fitted new lighting, floor coverings, beds, linen, desks and blinds that were chosen by professional interior decorator Helena Farrell.

Service Manager Eric Nordberg said he was delighted with the results: “It’s all about providing a pleasing, attractive environment and making the young people using the service feel that Mission Australia cares – which we do.

“Our partnership with Woodside Energy has been a very supportive one, and we are grateful. We would certainly like to extend our thanks to them for helping us.”

This year Mission Australia and Woodside Energy celebrate 10 years of working together to help Australians in need. Mission Australia CEO Toby Hall praised the work of Woodside Energy employees, who have raised an amazing $51,000 this year alone through their Christmas Appeal.

To see the Woodside Energy team in action during the ‘Beds for Christmas’ makeover, see the video below or visit our Youtube channel www.youtube.com/missionaust

Me in My World 'photovoice' exhibition off to a great start

Mission Australia recently announced the launch of a dynamic photographic exhibition showcasing the artistic talents of young people who have accessed Mission Australia community services in south-west WA.

The Me and My World exhibition was opened by WA State Director Ross Kyrwood at the Bunbury Regional Art Gallery, and attended by local MP Nola Marino, Mission Australia staff, the young participants in the project, and other agencies and members of the community.

This is the third year the photographic project has been run with the young clients from Bunbury, who are not only developing their talents but also giving back to the community by donating the proceeds of their photographic sales to Mission Australia's south-west WA community services.

The exhibition will run until the 7th November - for location details visit www.brag.org.au/page.php?id=104. 
 
Scroll down for previews of some of the works:

Mission Australia set to launch local photo exhibition

Mission Australia will launch a dynamic photographic exhibition showcasing the artistic talents of young people living in the South West region of WA.

The 'Me and My World' exhibition involves a display of photography contributions from young people aged between 10-22 years, who have accessed Mission Australia's programs run across the South West.

Mission Australia Team Leader - South West, Tammy Scott said the budding artists were provided with digital cameras and produced some amazing images.

"This exhibition offers a unique opportunity to see the world through the eyes of South West young people - it was a chance for these young people to showcase how they see themselves, their community and life in regional WA." Tammy said.

The photographs will be on display at the Bunbury Regional Art Gallery

Exhibition date: 14th October - 7th November 2010
Launch: 13th October 2010
When: 3:00 start, official launch 3:30pm. Close 5.00pm
Where: Bunbury Regional Art Gallery, Wittenoom Street Bunbury

Interview and photo opportunities:

• Tammy Scott, Mission Australia Team Leader - South West
• The photo exhibition and launch

Media enquiries: John Cooke, PPR, 9388 0944 or 0433 679 780

Milestone for the Catalyst Clemente program

Left to Right:  Alex Prudnicki, Jeanne-Marie Thomasz (Manager MA), Nerissa Blake, Susan Ash (Associate Professor ECU), Anita Welsh, Mario Gomes (Catalyst Coordinator, MA), Tasha La Mer.  Photography by Phillips & Father  

Mission Australia’s Catalyst Clemente (Catalyst) program provides tertiary education in arts and the humanities to assist marginalised people escape cycles of poverty and homelessness.

Catalyst reached a memorable milestone when four of its students graduated from the 2009 program.

On the 31st January Alex Prudnicki, Anita Welsh, Nerissa Blake and Tasha La Mer received their certificates during the formal Edith Cowan University (ECU) Graduation Ceremony at the Perth Convention Centre. Three of these graduates are enrolled for further tertiary study at ECU in 2010.

The graduates were supported on the night by fellow students, family and friends, staff and academia from Mission Australia, Woodside, ECU and Curtin University. Claire Brown, the original program co-ordinator from ECU also travelled from interstate to see the students graduate.

True to its name, the program has proven for another year that it can be a catalyst for change and social inclusion.

Through the learning of the arts and humanities, students are empowered to think about and reflect on the world in which they live. In turn, this intellectual engagement can promote a broader re-engagement with society, and encourage students to take action in their own lives - as seen in recent survey responses from the students:

“My confidence – I have posture. I smile more. I have goals now that I’d like to meet. I’m not as ashamed. Now I feel my life has a purpose. It has given me self worth.”

“It has given me a new and different attitude towards education and myself.”

Their stories are evidence of the empowerment and hope that opportunities like this can provide.

Mission Australia now offers Catalyst in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth. The program is also offered by other community services agencies in NSW (Sydney, Newcastle and Campbelltown), Ballarat (VIC) and Canberra.

The graduation event is a commendable achievement for the four graduates, acknowledged with immense pride by all who have been involved in developing and delivering Catalyst Clemente in WA. It also provides tremendous encouragement and motivation for the students who are currently engaged in the program.