Mission Australia
Transform
Or call 1800 88 88 68
Donate via PayPal
Mission Australia Blog
|
|
Mission Australia on Blogspot
Youth at risk the focus of new Adelaide Jobs Service
A new era in employment services for Adelaide begins today with the launch of the new youth-focused Mission Australia Employment Solutions centre in Elizabeth. The South Australian Minister of Employment, Training and Further Education, Michael O'Brien, will launch the office this morning. Mission Australia’s Executive Leader of Employment Services, Leisa Hart, will attend the launch, along with about 60 local employers and a group of young job seekers. Ms Hart says the Elizabeth site is one of 93 Mission Australia has been contracted to provide across the country under the Federal Government’s new Job Services Australia (JSA) scheme, which came into effect earlier this week. However, Ms Hart said the Elizabeth service was one of three the organisation would provide across the country with a specific focus on young unemployed people. “In awarding its JSA contracts, the Federal Government identified particular regions where youth unemployment is particularly high and young ...
Read More ...
Missionbeat Bikes off to a great start on Sydney's streets!
Recently the Daily Telegraph recorded a video of the new Missionbeat Bicycle service in action on the inner streets of Sydney - come and take a look at the guys in action, providing assistance to homeless people in need: Please click here to be redirected to the video. ...
Read More ...
Celebrating the success of the 'City Lens on Brisbane Streets' exhibition
A side of Brisbane that most of us would never see has been captured through the photos of a group of homeless and disadvantaged teenagers. The City Lens on Brisbane Streets exhibition, which ran from May to June at the Brisbane Powerhouse, provided a visual journey of life in Brisbane through these young people's eyes. For two months prior to the exhibition, the participants - under the guidance of internationally renowned photographers Antoine Matarasso and Henri van Noordenburg - hit the streets with cameras to document their perspective of the city. The project was a joint initiative between Mission Australia and Brisbane City Council, to commemorate Mission Australia's 150th Birthday and 150 years since the city of Brisbane was established. Mission Australia’s MaryAnne Morgan said the purpose of City Lens was not just to give a different view of Brisbane, it was also about engaging young people who had become disconnected from the community. “We will continue to s...
Read More ...
Good news from the front line - inspiring stories of transformation
Hearing from Mission Australia’s staff about what’s happening in their services can be incredibly inspiring. Here are two recent breakthroughs reported from Mission Australia’s front line: An incredible turnaround for Kate Kate* came to Mission Australia Wagga’s Youth Connections program with complex issues including self harm and very low self esteem. After receiving Mission Australia’s help with her personal issues as well as her accommodation for the past six months, Kate has now secured a one bedroom Department of Housing unit in central Wagga. Kate has now left Mission Australia’s care full of confidence, engaging in social activities, and enrolled in TAFE. All the staff are extremely happy with Kate’s achievements and will stay in touch with her to make sure she keeps progressing. Life changing progress for Madison When Madison* came to Mission Australia’s Miller Pre-school she was experiencing mild to moderate developmental delays, autism and very severe...
Read More ...
A fresh approach in the mission to enable refugee and migrants to gain sustainable employment
Young migrants and refugees often don’t have the same opportunities as other Australians when entering the workforce due to financial, cultural and educational barriers. Mission Australia’s ‘Getting to Work’ program in the City of Greater Dandenong aims to change that by offering these young people the opportunity to overcome their barriers and the chance to get a job with local employers. Importantly, this unique and holistic program has been developed with the Victorian Government’s Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development (DIIRD), local business and local youth and employment providers in Dandenong and follows thorough consultation with local young people. Program participants will graduate on Monday 29 June at a ceremony in Noble Park. ‘Getting to Work’ assists young people to develop the necessary skills, knowledge and experience, providing a pathway to employment and the opportunity to control a secure future. It is a three month program whi...
Read More ...
WA Child Protection Minister presents MA with $100,000 investment for 'On-TRACK' program
From right to left: Mission Australia's WA State Director, Ross Kyrwood, WA's Minister for Child Protection, Robyn McSweeney and three members of Mission Australia's On-TRACK team. Western Australia’s Child Protection Minister Robyn McSweeney dropped into Mission Australia yesterday with a $100,000 one-off payment for our ‘On-TRACK’ program. On-TRACK is based in Perth’s inner-city Northbridge area and provides a safe and supportive environment to young people – who are often intoxicated and needing supervised care – as an alternative to police custody. It ensures their safety and well-being following an apprehension by police and works with families to help avoid the young person coming into contact with police again. According to Ross Kyrwood, Mission Australia’s WA State Director, the funding was crucial to meet recent increased demand for On-TRACK’s support. “This funding equates to about 40 additional families being able to receive counselling from Mission A...
Read More ...
NSW’s juvenile justice system must change
News that the NSW Government has classified a report on the state’s juvenile justice network as "cabinet-in-confidence" for the first time in more than 20 years speaks volumes about the health of the system. While the Attorney-General has confirmed the report will be released in a fortnight’s time, the fact its contents are so sensitive suggests it portrays NSW’s juvenile justice system in a state of utter disarray. There has been a 40 per cent increase in juveniles on remand in NSW – that is, young people detained while waiting for their day in court – over the last two years. Overcrowding has become so commonplace there are reports teenagers are being forced to sleep in detention centre visiting rooms and that the government is spending $2400-a-day to keep underage youth in police cells and paying police $100 an hour overtime to guard them. Combined with the fact that young Indigenous people make up more than 56 per cent of all juvenile detainees in NSW and I think it...
Read More ...
Mission Australia to expand our Youth Beat service in the Northern Territory
Mission Australia is expanding its youth services in Palmerston, with its Casuarina site relocating to its Palmerston Divisional Office from 1 July to provide greater support to up to 150 young people each week. Two new staff will also join the existing Mission Australia team of eight in delivering its services to the northern suburbs of Darwin, which includes its youth and family support programs, Youth Beat and court support initiatives. The move has been welcomed by local residents, the Palmerston City Council, Neighbourhood Watch, Palmerston Police and the NT Government which earlier this month committed more than $170,000 to fund the expansion of Mission Australia’s Youth Beat outreach service in Palmerston from two to six nights per week. Mission Australia’s Youth Beat service, which also operates in Darwin and Katherine, provides advice, guidance and support to young people who are at risk of engaging in offending behaviour or hurting themselves through drug and alcohol...
Read More ...
Ride for Youth - latest update from Yohei
Mission Australia's intrepid supporter - the Japanese cyclist, Yohei Takahashi - will today begin facing the biggest challenge of his 7000km journey from Brisbane to Perth, the brutal 1200 km stretch that is the Nullarbor Plain. Yohei has pedalled through Adelaide and is now on the downward leg of his journey out of South Australia where he has received an extraordinary amount of support from well-wishers, donors and the media. One anonymous donor made a $500 contribution after reading about Yohei’s epic journey in the Adelaide Advertiser. With just the bare essentials - instant noodles, tinned salmon, water and a tent - Yohei hopes to conquer the Nullarbor in 12 days. We encourage everyone to get behind Yohei, support Mission Australia’s young people in need and leave our friend a message of motivation. Simply visit everydayhero.com.au/yohei_takahashi. Good luck on the road to Norseman, Yohei!! ...
Read More ...
Missionbeat receives encouraging feedback from former client
One of the things that makes our work worthwhile is seeing the people we help get back on their feet and transform their lives. Missionbeat, Mission Australia's iconic homeless outreach service which patrols Sydney's inner city streets, was encouraged to recently receive some well-deserved feedback from a former client: "To Mission Australia, My name is Tony*. Was homeless for weeks, since I wasnt entitled to centrelink payments, also I couldnt afford to keep a roof over my head. Mission Australia have been so kind and supportive during this hard time in my life, I am grateful for all your help. The only way is up for me now, thanks again guys. God bless, Tony" Missionbeat continues to provide outreach services, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, and has recently been expanded to include a bicycle service. * Name has been changed to protect client's identity. ...
Read More ...
Mission Australia’s heading from the city to the surf!
The countdown to Sydney's favourite fun run - The Sun-Herald City2Surf – has begun! Mission Australia is taking part once again and is inviting all our donors and supporters to join us on the 14km journey from Hyde Park to beautiful Bondi Beach on Sunday, August 9 2009. Entries are now open, click here to enter. To kick-start your efforts to reach Bondi, check out racing and training tips on the City2Surf website. You can also raise money for Mission Australia by seeking sponsorship for your run. Simply choose Mission Australia as your charity of choice. ...
Read More ...
U-Turn graduates restore independence – donating restored car to victim of crime
A Devonport victim of car theft was today handed the keys to a rebuilt Holden Barina by eight 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 the victim of vehicle theft, Rebecca Marshall, whose car was stolen last year and destroyed by fire, was very excited about the car and pleased it would give her back her independence. “Ms Marshall has been relying on friends and public transport for herself and her young son, making this car a wonderful gift for her family,” Mr Mundy said. “During the 10-week course, the U-Turn participants repaired numerous dents on the privat...
Read More ...
Recognising our staff
Without question, Mission Australia would not be able to transform the lives of so many disadvantaged people if not for our hard working team of over 3000 staff and 1000 volunteers. As a way to reward and recognise our people for their ongoing commitment and excellence, Mission Australia introduced the Celebrate Recognition Program in December 2007. Since then, over 170 deserving employees and volunteers have been recognised with a Celebrate Award for demonstrating performance and our organisational values above and beyond normal expectations. ...
Read More ...
Australia's approach to Juvenile Justice must change
Programs designed to divert young people from offending behaviour and entering juvenile detention can not only be more effective than putting a young person in custody but up to 50 times cheaper to run according to the community service organisation Mission Australia. Mission Australia says diversionary programs designed to keep young people from re-offending can cut rates by more than half and reduce serious offences by close to two-thirds. Mission Australia has called on state and territory governments to set targets to reduce the numbers of juveniles in detention and expand the number of successful diversionary programs. Mission Australia’s spokesperson, Anne Hampshire, said an upturn in the number of young people in custody, high levels of recidivism and the significant cost of locking young people up highlighted the need for alternatives to addressing offending behaviour. “Around 13,000 young people go through state/territory juvenile justice systems every year. Nearly ...
Read More ...
Supporting ‘Freedom from Fear’
Australia has offered a safe haven for refugees since 1945. In fact over half a million refugees have resettled in Australia, initially arriving from various European Nations. Today, refugees from all over the world come to Australia to escape violence, persecution and war. Refugee Week is being acknowledged across the country this week and coincides with World Refugee Day on June 20. It’s a time when the global community reflects on the plight of the worlds refugees and re-examines how to best respond to their needs. The aims of Refugee Week are: to educate the Australian public about who refugees are and why they have come to Australia; to help people understand the many challenges refugees face coming to Australia; to celebrate the contribution refugees make to our community; to focus on how the community can provide a safe and welcoming environment for refugees; for community groups and individuals to do something positive for refugees, asylum seekers and displaced people...
Read More ...
Hush for Homelessness edging toward $100k raised!
Thanks to the generous support of HUSH for Homelessness participants and their sponsors, Mission Australia has raised over $98k for our homeless services across the country. We are still waiting on a few final donations to come through, so expect to reach our goal of raising $100,000 in the coming week. It is a target we wouldn’t have reached without the incredible support from our supporters – particularly primary and secondary schools – throughout Australia. Over 3000 school students supported HUSH for Homelessness. They not only helped raise funds, but also learnt about the causes and effects of homelessness. Mission Australia staff visited a few schools in the lead up to the event to meet the students taking part and teach them a little bit about homelessness and how Mission Australia helps tackle the issue. “We were overwhelmed by the response of the students we met. They were all so interested in learning about the issue of homelessness and were motivated to help mak...
Read More ...
The power of the written word
Last weekend’s Sunday Mail newspaper in Brisbane featured a wonderful piece by regular columnist, Rebecca Sparrow, on Mission Australia’s work helping homeless people in that city. With the onset of winter, Rebecca encouraged her readers to get behind Mission Australia – either by making a donation of money, of warm clothes and blankets or by volunteering at our Café One on Wickham service. Café One provides low cost meals along with referral and advice to disadvantaged people in and around Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley. Thanks to Rebecca’s article we’ve had a terrific response from her very generous readers. Apart from a number of calls from people wanting to volunteer their time, we’ve also received a ute full of new blankets and jumpers which will be split between customers at Café One and residents at another Mission Australia Brisbane homeless service – Roma House – and a donation of $1000. If you’re in Brisbane and you’d like to get behind Mission Au...
Read More ...
Social Enterprise transforming the lives of those excluded from the labour market
Mission Australia welcomes the Commonwealth Government’s commitment to social enterprise through the Innovation Fund. Today the Prime Minister visited one of Mission Australia’s social enterprises in West Heidelberg, the Urban Renewal Enterprise Employment Program (UREEP), a landscaping and construction social enterprise that trains and employs local people experiencing disadvantage and unemployment. From experience in urban renewal and its relationships with local government, Mission Australia has developed Changing Places, an innovative model of sustainable, place-based social enterprise whereby social procurement partnerships will seed large-scale, long-term sustainable social enterprises. The program which will operate in local government areas in Victoria, the Northern Territory and Queensland will deliver local services while creating employment and training opportunities for local job seekers facing a range of barriers to employment. Mission Australia welcomes the annou...
Read More ...
Mission Australia takes out Australasian Reporting Award
For the past 59 years business leaders in corporations, government and not-for-profit organisations along with the producers of Annual Reports have come together each year to celebrate achievement in reporting at the prestigious Australasian Reporting Awards (ARA). The Awards also provide an opportunity for organisations to benchmark their reports against the ARA criteria. Mission Australia was awarded the Communication Award in the not-for-profit category at the most recent ARA awards night, held on Thursday, 4 June 2009. With over 90 charities entered into the Award, Mission Australia was honoured to accept the Award for our 2007-2008 Annual Review. Introduced in 1998, the Communication Award acknowledges reports which are easy to read and navigate, including complementary graphics and clean, crisp copy. In addition to winning the Communication Award, Mission Australia also received a Silver Award in the general category, which is our best result to date in the ARA Awards. Mis...
Read More ...
Missionbeat Bikes hit the road
World Environment Day, 5 June 2009 On 5 June, World Environment Day, the Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore MP will launch Australia’s newest and greenest homelessness service, the Missionbeat Bikes, giving homeless people in Sydney better access to critical support and reducing Mission Australia’s carbon emissions. “The new Missionbeat Bike service will allow us to help more people sleeping rough in more places around the Sydney CBD and shrink our ecological footprint at the same time,” said Leonie Green, Mission Australia’s NSW State Director. “This is another way in which Mission Australia is seeking to transform the lives of people who are homeless and put them on a path back to a safe and stable life.” The bikes, helmets and uniforms were purchased with a grant from the Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP Salary Trust. Cr Moore and the Deputy Lord Mayor, Cr Marcelle Hoff, donate their Lord Mayoral and Deputy Lord Mayoral fees to the Trust, which has provided grants wor...
Read More ...
News Updates
| Australia's approach to Juvenile Justice must change16-06-2009Programs designed to divert young people from offending behaviour and entering juvenile detention can not only be more effective than putting a young person in custody but up to 50 times cheaper to run according to the community service organisation Mission Australia.Mission Australia says diversionary programs designed to keep young people from... + Read Full Story |
Missionbeat Bikes hit the road05-06-2009World Environment Day, 5 June 2009 On 5 June, World Environment Day, the Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore MP will launch Australia’s newest and greenest homelessness service, the Missionbeat Bikes, giving homeless people in Sydney better access to critical support and reducing Mission Australia’s carbon emissions.“The new Missionbeat Bike... + Read Full Story | More News Articles
| ||
