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WELCOME TO 2021
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After setting a positive platform to 2020 when we welcomed the year in, many of us are somewhat hesitant in what we say in welcoming in 2021. We are hoping for a different year, while cautiously optimistic we are still in the midst of a pandemic.
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On a positive note the World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared 2021 the International Year of Health and Care Workers. This is such an important acknowledgement for many in our sector who provide care to so many children, young people and families and focus on their holistic wellbeing. This is your year! There is so much for you to contribute and there will be ample opportunities for your support and advocacy to be centre stage.
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Also, the Gold Coast Project for Homeless Youth was nationally recognised as Alli Simpson noted this great organisation as her charity of choice in I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here. She generously used her platform to highlight the plight of homeless and marginalised young people.
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On January 26th the Brisbane Invasion Day Rally boasted unprecedented numbers of protesters noted as over 5,000 who called for abolishing the date of Australia day. The speeches covered a range of issues including Indigenous incarceration rates, deaths in custody, the historic trauma of the stolen generation, environmental concerns, as well as repeated calls to abolish the date of January 26 as Australia Day. In response, the crowd cheered “always was, always will be Aboriginal land.”
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How many countries celebrate the carnage of their First Nation people as a mark of their history and heritage? This is an important question to ponder! Why is Australia OK with such celebrations?
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Hon. Leeanne Enoch, Minister for Housing and Communities, Minister for Digital Economy, and Minister for the Arts, visited the Logan Youth Foyer Support Service on January 13th. Young people and local Indigenous artists, Jessica Skeen and Rekon Youth’s artist Paora were delighted to showcase their fantastic mural. Minister Enoch was hosted by young people who spoke about the expansion of their program, completed in 2019 and their involvement in the design of the mural. The artists involved described how they worked with young people and assisted them with their artistic techniques. This mural has pride of place at the Logan Youth Foyer.
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LET HER SPEAK
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Yes, let her speak! There are so many reasons we need to focus on the need for women to speak. As such, we celebrate the fabulous Australian of the Year - Grace Tame, Advocate for survivors of sexual assault and #LetHerSpeak campaigner
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AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR 2021
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Grace Tame is an outspoken advocate for survivors of sexual assault, particularly those who were abused in institutional settings. From age 15, Grace was groomed and raped by her 58-year-old maths teacher, who was found guilty and jailed for his crimes. However, under Tasmania’s sexual-assault victim gag laws, Grace couldn’t legally speak out about her experience – despite the perpetrator and media being free to do so. Assisted by the #LetHerSpeak campaign, who applied to the Supreme Court on Grace's behalf, Grace won the right to publicly self-identify as a rape survivor. Grace has demonstrated extraordinary courage – using her voice to push for legal reform and raise public awareness about the impacts of sexual violence. She is a regular guest speaker for high-profile events and television programs and uses her media profile to advocate for other vulnerable groups in the community. Grace now has her voice to speak out!
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LAYING DOWN THE LAW
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Do you or your colleagues need assistance in knowing how the law works and how best to support young people when engaging with police, child protection or youth justice?
QYHC is partnering with the Youth Advocacy Centre (YAC) to deliver a two-day worker training package called ‘Laying Down The Law’ in Brisbane, 1-2 March, 2021.
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SECTOR/GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES
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Ready for Work
Employability Skills for young people
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Are you under 24, out of school and ready to work?
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‘Ready for Work’ is a six-week program for people aged 16-24 and provides mentoring and support to build strong peer support networks, develop social and leadership skills, employability skills, and improve confidence and motivation when job seeking.
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For more information, click here
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JobTrainer Queensland
TAFE Queensland is now providing 70 free or low cost courses for young Queenslanders aged 17-24 across a wide range of areas such as; agriculture, construction, child care, graphic design, veterinary nursing, youth work, nursing and many more.
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This is an exciting opportunity for young people and an excellent initiative from the QLD Government.
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To find out more click here
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SPER Partner Program
Queensland Youth and Family Support Services (QYFSS) are running a program for young people who have incurred a SPER (state penalty enforcement registry) debt and due to hardship are unable to make payments.
Through engagement in a range of classes such as; anger management, tenancy skills, cooking and budgeting QYFSS can help reduce SPER debt by up to $1000.
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For more information regarding eligibility and access contact QYFSS on 07 3818 1050, or drop into their office at 1 Scott Street, Goodna 4300
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Click here to see the full brochure
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Scholarship Program for
Young Australians
The Commonwealth Scholarships Program is awarding Young Australians (15-24) up to $5,000 a year to study a vocational education and training (VET) qualification, and $3,000 to complete an internship. The Commonwealth Scholarships Program is an Australian Government Initiative delivered by Busy at Work.
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For more information, click here
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Finance Worker (25 hours a fortnight)
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Rate: Level 3.1-3.3 SCHADS - CAE scale
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($41.89 - $43.79 per hour)
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NWYAS is looking for a part-time Finance Worker to form an integral part of our supportive and inclusive team. NWYAS provides support to young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
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North West Youth Accommodation Service (NWYAS) is a small not-for-profit community organisation supporting young people aged 16-25 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness through referral, support and housing.
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If you have any questions, please contact Nicole Walsh (Manager) on 3855 5233.
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Please send your resume, cover letter and a response to the Selection Criteria as outlined in the Position Description to tenancy@nwyas.org.au before 9am Wednesday 3rd February 2021.
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Local Level Alliance (LLA) Coordinator, Yadeni Tago Partnership
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Kurbingui Youth Development Ltd
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A position has opened up at Kurbingui for a new LLA Coordinator. Kurbingui partners with the three levels of government, other not-for-profit organisations, agencies, Elders and community members to deliver effective, culturally safe, meaningful programs and services.
The primary purpose of the role is to take the lead in identifying key agencies and services that contribute to the service systems across Greater Brisbane, South East and Moreton Bay Regions for vulnerable children and their families and establishing and coordinating forums, working parties and other activities that promote service delivery collaboration, assist in identifying service system gaps and communicate the information to peak bodies within the sector including decision makers.
More information click here
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Mental Health Consumer Peak
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The Queensland Government has funded the establishment of a new Queensland mental health consumer representative peak organisation. The peak will provide policy advice and system advocacy that represents the common interests of people who use mental health services across the state.
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The Queensland Mental Health Commission is project managing the establishment of the peak, which is expected to be operational in the first half of 2021.
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A Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and candidates
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for the Board of Directors are being sought.
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For more information click here
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Circle of Security Parenting Group
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- Who: Parents, carers and children 0-5 living in Brisbane North
- Where: Jabiru Early Years Place, 70 Murphy Road Zillmere
- Dates: Fridays, starting the 12th of February 2021
- Times: 10am -12:30pm
- Cost: FREE and Childminding Available
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Before the group starts Jabiru would like to invite you in for a pre group meeting. This is an opportunity to meet individually with all participants so you can see the space, meet facilitators, ask questions, discuss any concerns and let Jabiru staff know what you want to get out of the program so they can make sure it’s a good fit before you commit to an 7 week group.
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Please contact Jabiru to register or find out more:
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Advocacy is in the community service sector's DNA, but mystifying government processes can frustrate the best laid plan. This unique course takes you through the who and what of government decision-making, revealing how you can be a more influential advocate. What you'll get from the course:
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- A more comprehensive understanding of the people, positions and processes through which State government decisions are made, including their timeframes
- A keener appreciation of what decision makers are looking for in advice and proposals
- An opportunity to refine your organisation's story about what it offers, the public benefit and the alignment with government priorities
- A collection of proven methods and resources to take away and use day to day.
Plus, another opportunity to network and plan with like-minded colleagues.
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The Right to Shelter, Colonialism and Leonard Cohen
A Podcast series ‘Social Work People’ from the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)
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When members of the public complain about homeless people in their local park to Kate Incerti she thanks them.
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It’s her way of demonstrating what it means to take a human rights approach to homelessness. In this episode she tells us what human rights mean for homelessness, how it connects with our colonial history and what COVID-19 has shown us about providing more housing. Leonard Cohen helps us make sense of it all.
Listen to the AASW Podcast series, 'Social Work People' through the channels below:
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Supporting parents & improving outcomes for children
Families and Homelessness Webinar
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Emerging Minds and Child Family Community Australia (CFCA) are presenting a webinar exploring how practitioners can support families who are experiencing the effects of homelessness
This webinar will explore:
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- The evidence that parent–child relationships can support children’s social and emotional wellbeing in experiences of homelessness
- How to recognise and respond to the impact of homelessness on parenting and the parent–child relationship in families
- How practitioners can integrate this into their practice.
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Date: February 10th, 2021 14:00 AEDT
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Click here for more information
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2021 Queensland Reconciliation Awards
The Queensland Reconciliation Awards recognises businesses, community organisations, educational institutions and government agencies going above and beyond their core business to foster reconciliation and pave the way for a better future for our state.
There are five categories open for nomination. An overall Premier’s Reconciliation Award will also be awarded to a nominated initiative demonstrating innovative strategies and exceptional outcomes towards advancing reconciliation in Queensland. A total of $30,000 in prize money will be shared between all six award recipients.
Nominations close 5pm, Monday 22 February 2021.
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For more information visit the website, Facebook or telephone (07) 3003 9200.
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CAMPAIGNS
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Raise the Rate for Good
With the first sitting week of Federal Parliament in February almost upon us our MPs will be getting ready to sit together once more to discuss key pieces of legislation. Now is the time to consider what Australians need in order to ensure dignity and well-being for all during this pandemic and moving forward.
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In two months the already reduced Coronavirus Supplement is set to end. The rapid and successful mobilisation of funds to ensure those on low to no wages were able to meet their basic human needs has shown the capacity of the government to act quickly and decisively to support its citizens.
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In August of 2020 ACOSS conducted a survey of 955 people receiving the increased welfare rate. It was found that prior to the supplement, after paying rent or mortgage 66% of participants had less than $14 a day to live on.
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Poverty and job instability is not new and nor is it set to go away quickly in light of the fiscal impact of COVID-19. In 2017-2018 ACOSS estimated that 13.6% of the Australian population was living below the poverty line.
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QYHC and our youth housing service providers know all too well the rental discrimination that young people on Youth Allowance face in trying to rent with insufficient finances in the competitive rental market.
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We wholeheartedly support the work ACOSS has been doing in keeping this conversation going with their ‘Raise the Rate for Good’ campaign.
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Follow the links below to support this campaign:
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With 2020 dominated by COVID-19 and 2021 looking like it will follow suit, Australians have found themselves spending more time at home with international and interstate travel becoming increasingly inaccessible. More than ever a sense of home, a place to shelter from the proverbial storm has become important.
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Over 116, 000 Australians do not have a home to shelter within.
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The Everybody’s Home campaign is seeking people to sign their petition as they call on the Federal Government to invest $7.2 billion in social housing to create 30,000 new homes with the added benefit of creating 18,000 jobs annually.
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SIGNIFICANT DATES
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Education offers children a ladder out of poverty and a path to a promising future (United Nations, 2020).
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January the 24th marked the International Day of Education. Enshrined within the Queensland Human Rights Act (2019) under economic, social and cultural rights is the right to all children to access education appropriate to their needs and the right to people of all ages to equal access to vocational education and training which is appropriate to their abilities. Education is a human right, for school aged children and a right for all young people seeking to follow their passions and career goals.
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As we work towards closing the gap for First Nation citizens, increasing representation of women and breaking down the social barriers for marginalised groups, including disabled people, education is core to opening the pathways to building agency, autonomy, and amplifying voices.
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Without equal access to education women would not have been given a seat at the table and gender equality would not be where it is now. By ensuring marginalised groups access education equitably, which means both within school and breaking down the external barriers which contribute to disengagement, we help foster a more favourable environment in which to create tomorrow’s leaders. Furthermore, we ensure that those who will lead us into the future are truly representative of this country and not only the privileged few who were enabled to follow the educational pathway to its conclusion.
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For more information on the International Day of Education click here
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To access free TAFE courses click here
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For a full version of the Queensland Human Rights Act, click here
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IN THE NEWS
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