Vodafone Foundation Australia
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Mission Australia and the Vodafone Foundation Australia: a multi-faceted partnership
In 2004, Vodafone Foundation Australia launched the Young People Connected Program in conjunction with Mission Australia, Barnardos and Father Chris Riley's Youth off the Streets.
Disadvantaged youth who are disconnected from their families can spiral into isolation and abandonment. The YPC project aims to assist with the connectivity of young people to friends, family, agencies and services; to reduce harm in their lives and to help them feel a part of wider society.
Clients engaged in the program range in age from 12 to 25 years. They are either homeless or at risk of homelessness and have highly complex needs such as alcohol and/or other drug dependency, mental health issues, disabilities, educational barriers, legal problems and/or are victims of abuse.
There are three main components of this program:
- The provision of a handset, an activated SIM and credit to each client.
- A freecall function that allows clients to access certain numbers including Lifeline, for free - regardless of their credit status.
- All participating staff have access to a web-based text messaging service in which they can add contacts in an Address Book and schedule texts to be sent to clients 24/7.
The YPC program provides long term economic and social benefits to the community through the reduction of anti-social behaviours such as crime, drug and alcohol abuse, reduced welfare dependency and the inclusion of independent individuals who can actively contribute to the social and economic fabric of our society. For nearly everyone involved in the program there has been a greater understanding of the impact such a simple resource can make. It is increasingly easy, in this technological-age, to take for granted the many and varied ways we can connect with each other. It is a humbling experience to have a young person's eyes light up at the offer not only of a phone, but the trust and respect that goes with the expectation they will use it wisely and responsibly.
The positive impact on the families of the young people assisted by the program cannot be underestimated. The intervention and support that YPC provides has often meant that negative chain reactions have been able to be short-circuited and crisis situations averted. Whole families have an increased sense of confidence in knowing that their son or daughter is safe, contactable and within reach.
With the funding and support from the Vodafone Foundation Mission Australia has successfully integrated this project into thirteen services across two states. Our aim throughout 2010/11 is to maintain the YPC program in existing services as well as the prospect of expanding into new services as Mission Australia's Youth Pathways profile grows.
Alongside this significant financial support lies a passionate volunteering ethic which has led hundreds of Vodafone Hutchison Australia staff to participate in a range of volunteering activities with Mission Australia incorporating everything from large-scale renovations, and maintenance tasks through to engaging with our clients and climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge!
We value our multi-faceted partnership with Vodafone Foundation Australia and look forward to many more years of working together to support disadvantaged young people.
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