Food and produce supplier, Urban Food Market, has launched a creative new campaign to fundraise for Mission Australia throughout 2010.

During 2010 the Urban Food Market Food Fund will support Mission Australia community services with proceeds raised through the sale of new Urban Food Market / Mission Australia-branded cooler bags, donations generated through their website, and with the provision of food hampers at key times of need, such as the Christmas holiday season.

For more information about the Food Fund please visit the Mission Australia page on their website: www.urbanfoodmarket.com.au....

Tim Elwin, Managing Director of Urban Food Market, is pleased ... Read more...

Two Tasmanian victims of car theft were today handed the keys to a rebuilt Toyota Corolla and Daihatsu Applause, by a group of young Tasmanians graduating from Mission Australia’s U-Turn automotive training course.

U-Turn is a best practice diversionary program for young people who have been involved in, or who are at risk of becoming involved in, motor vehicle theft. The core component of the program is a structured ten-week automotive training course in car maintenance and body work, delivered in a workshop environment.

Mission Australia’s State Director Noel Mundy said both victims of crime had recently had their cars stolen and burnt out.

“Both recipients are very excited about their new cars, with one having found it difficult without transport ... Read more...

Disadvantaged and marginalised young people taking part in Mission Australia’s Creative Youth Initiatives (CYI) will receive a boost this week thanks to the American Express Festival of Potential.

After the success of the Sydney Festival, American Express has taken the Festival to Melbourne, with activities scheduled for 19 and 20 March at O’Donnell Gardens, St Kilda.

This free outdoor event encourages Melburnians to try something new and explore their creative potential with a team of inspiring artists.

You can paint a canvas under the guidance of a professional artist, take part in drumming sessions with TaikOz or learn plate spinning and juggling from the team at the National Institute of Circus Arts.

And for the every canvas ... Read more...

After relocating to Adelaide from Melbourne three years ago, Madee River found that, after a few months of unemployment, he would need to think outside-the-square if he was going to be able to support himself.

He came across Mission Australia's New Enterprise Incentive Scheme and soon had the small business training, mentoring and relevant qualifications to help him develop a business plan that set him on the path to success.

The New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS) is a self-employment program funded by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR). NEIS has helped over 100,000 unemployed people since the early 1990s by helping them develop the skills and knowledge needed to start and manage their own business.

At the ... Read more...

“Volunteering for Mission Australia has been a life-changing experience I’ll always treasure,” says Melbourne-born Yenny, a youth worker in the Northern Territory. “It challenged me in so many ways and rewarded me with a wealth of knowledge and inspiration.”

Yenny originally became involved with Mission Australia through the Youth Challenge Australia (YCA) program, a not-for-profit body that engages young people in community projects. When she volunteered with YCA, she was sent to the remote Territory settlement of Finke, working with Mission Australia’s youth development program.

“It was an incredible experience,” says Yenny of her time at Finke. “I was supporting two youth workers and their Anangu team as well as working with the Finke primary school.”