In 2007 the Ian Potter Foundation approved funding to develop a youth leadership program for young people selected from the Redskins Basketball Club. Early in 2008, 20 young people embarked on a journey to become leaders within their communities - they would become the inaugural members of Open Family Australia’s Youth Leadership Program.
The Youth Leadership Program seeks to develop leadership skills for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in Melbourne’s Western suburbs. Students meet monthly to participate in workshops to develop skills in communication, public speaking, team work, conflict resolution, peer support and management. Mentors from the community are assigned to support students during the program.
In December 2008, the first group of young leaders graduated from the program receiving their graduation certificates in front of family and friends at Somerset Gordon Place, Melbourne.
In 2009, the second Youth Leadership program was offered to 20 young people however, it was identified that the program needed to be targeted towards a younger cohort aged between 14 and 16 years. The second group graduated from the program on December 7th, 2009.
Open Family Australia would like to thank the Ian Potter Foundation for supporting this pilot program and Ascott International for sponsoring the 2008 and 2009 graduations.
The City of Frankston has a new community outreach program to combat the rise in youth homelessness, crime and alcohol and drug related abuse for troubled youth in the region. A development committee made up of concerned local business owners approached Open Family Australia in 2008 to establish the program to assist at-risk and homeless youth aged 12-25 in Frankston.
Tickets are now selling for the 2010 A Night On The Streets gala dinner at the Grand Hyatt, Melbourne. Reserve your seat now and experience all the glamour of international travel to exotic locations. Sit on a famous street of the world such as Fleet Street, Route 66, Champs Elysees, Grand Canal and more.
