Back To School

Now in its 20th year, the Back to School program continues to provide books and stationery to young people on the Living Away From Home Allowance, young people on bridging visas and young people from indigenous backgrounds.  Since its inception, the program has supported well over 5,000 students in schools.      The costs of education can often burden families who are already living on or below the poverty line which often results in young people not being able to access the resources they need.  Providing disadvantaged young people with the necessary tools to participate in their education increases the likelihood that they will continue with their education and assists to minimise disadvantage and discrimination.   People who experience disadvantage and homelessness as a young person are more likely to continue the cycle across their lifetime and education is a vital component of a young person’s ability to improve their personal circumstance, now and into the future.   In 2008, the program supported 286 young people from over 30 different ethnic backgrounds. Students were referred from over 80 secondary colleges as well as the tertiary institutions and other agencies.  We also had a large number of students who came into the Footscray office to access text books in our office library.   The program is generously sponsored by the Schools Canteen Education Foundation of Australia and private donors.   “Without the support of the Back to School program, I may have ended up like my friends – with no education, no job prospects and probably addicted to drugs.  Today I am employed full time as an accountant with a large logistics company and looking forward to a bright career and future.”   Karen, 22 years