Mission Australia

Happy International Women’s Day from all of us at Mission Australia!

Today, International Women’s Day, the world is celebrating women’s economic, political and social achievements. We have plenty of wonderful women at Mission Australia: 75% of our staff are female.

They help people to find safe housing, comfort people in need, support job seekers, care for children and help young people get on track. Among them is Katie Hale (pictured), who works as a Missionbeat Driver.

Her job involves supporting and transporting homeless people in inner-city Sydney to accommodation, health appointments and other community services. 

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Employer survey paints a tough picture for young job seekers

Only one third of employers who take on teenagers are satisfied with the result, according to a national survey conducted by Mission Australia.

The survey tested the views and concerns of almost 200 employers from small, medium and large businesses – from HR Managers to CEOs – who had engaged Mission Australia for assistance in filling job vacancies last year.

Unreliability, immaturity and the lack of long-term commitment were the top three reasons for their negative experiences.

Mission Australia Employment Solutions Executive Leader Dr Prins Ralston said the findings underline the importance of targeted policies and investment in school based programs aimed at getting young people more job ready, as well as ongoing support for teenage job seekers once they enter the workforce.

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New program to keep at-risk NSW youth on track a positive move

Mission Australia has welcomed the New South Wales Government’s announcement of a program aimed at addressing the underlying cause of a young person’s offending behaviour before they become entrenched in the prison system.

Under the Youth on Track program, caseworkers will offer intensive support to children as young as 10, linking families with services that can respond to causes of crime such as drug and alcohol abuse, educational disengagement, literacy and numeracy problems and family dysfunction.

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We’re opening Yellow Door, a mental health support service for children and families in Blacktown

Mission Australia is inviting families and service providers from the Blacktown area to attend the launch of Yellow Door, our new mental health service for children and their families.

Yellow Door will be launched at the Mount Druitt Community Hub, Ayres Grove, Mount Druitt on Friday 15 March, 3pm - 5pm.

There’ll be free presentations and workshops on child mental health, followed by an outdoor family event with entertainment, a barbecue and amusements for the kids.

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