Speech - Catholic Social Services Australia National Conference 2006 Awards - Award For Most Innovative Program
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AUSTRALIA - CANBERRA, MONDAY 16 OCTOBER 2006
Winner - Working On program, Mercy Family Services, Banyo in Queensland
The Working On program is a unique response to the prevalent drug problem in our society.
The program, which has been running for six years, has successfully changed the lives of over a hundred young men and women in recovery from substance abuse through a training and employment program that helps people to break the cycle of addiction and crime and to realise their full potential. By achieving their goals and realising their dreams they are able to feel valued, connected, strengthened and hopeful for the future.
Most of the young people in the program have been referred by drug and alcohol agencies.
Mercy Family Services accepted an invitation from the Brisbane City Council to deliver the program in 2000.
The major strengths of the program are its simple design, its ability to meet specialised needs, its cost effectiveness, workability and potential for use elsewhere. The program is underpinned by the values of Mercy Family Services, which exists:
To empower and strengthen disadvantaged and vulnerable children, young people and families in a society that is inequitable, diverse and changing.
The three phase program involves a seven week preparation course, where the young people improve their workplace knowledge and lean skills to help them gain and maintain employment.
Phase two involves placement in traineeships which provide skills, experience and nationally accredited qualifications in areas such as horticulture, information technology, and business administration, usually with the Brisbane City Council or Queensland Government.
Once employment commences, phase three involves on the job support by Mercy Family Services staff for 12 months.
Working On is supported by an advisory group with representatives from drug and alcohol agencies, Job Network providers, private and public sector employers, State Government funding bodies, Mercy Family Services and Brisbane City Council.
The program is funded jointly by State and Federal Government bodies, the Ian Potter Foundation and Mercy Family Services and has won a number of previous awards.
Here tonight to accept the award are Colleen Manning and Dolores Morten from Mercy Family Services in Banyo.
CONTACT Judith Tokley 0408 824 306 / 02 6285 1366
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