How can 'framing' a conversation with a young person lead to betters talks?

A ‘frame’ is just what it sounds like. It’s something that contains or puts a border around what you are looking at; so you can see more clearly what’s inside, or in this case, what you might want to talk about.  This is a great conversation tip as outlined by Peter Slattery (https://peterslattery.com). 

At StreetWork we use this technique as a way to have a meaningful conversation with a young person.  It gives us a  creative and engaging way of finding out together what's happening in that young person's life. Frames are used as a practical way of starting a conversation.  A good conversation, at the right moment, with a good person, can change our lives. 

Try using 'framing' to start a conversation today.

#turningyounglivesaround #youngpeople #framing #empowerment #mentoring #communityconnectors

How do you get a corporate to be more than a one-off donor?

In the past, charities have waited open-handed to receive money from a corporate partner in order to deliver their much needed programs. These types of partnerships have served charities like StreetWork very well over the years, however we're finding that successful corporate partnerships today are increasingly more about how the two sides can work together to bring about a lasting change.

Businesses are operating and listening to their stakeholders to understand the issues that are relevant to them. They are choosing to invest in 'causes' where there is a clear fit. Corporates are looking to uses their resources to make a social difference through mutually beneficial partnerships.

Successful corporate partnerships have 6 essential ingredients:
1. Clear, tangible goals
2. A balanced partnership
3. Diversity
4. Engagement on both sides at the right levels
5. Amazing & committed teams
6. Brand alignment

Mutual benefits is the key to success!!
#turningyounglivesaround #youngpeople #empowerment

Is a positive mindset the key to success when working with vulnerable young people?

Let's start by trying to determine what a positive mindset actually is. It's sometimes referred to as the 'power of positive thinking' and has both physical and mental benefits. At StreetWork, our youth case workers use a positive mindset as a way of 'setting the scene' and creating opportunities for the young person we work with. Put simply, it involves positive thinking, positive imagery, positive self-talk and optimism.

Here are some tips that you can consider using:
1. Start each day with a positive affirmation.
2. Always focus on good things, regardless of the size.
3. Find humour, even in difficult situations.
4. Turn mistakes into learning opportunities.
5. Change the negative into a positive.
6. Focus on what's happening today.
7. Surround yourself with other positive thinkers.

With its application as part of our KickStart Mentoring Program, the benefits for young person include: increased confidence; improved mood; and decreased likelihood of anxiety and stress.

Change your mindset to a positive one today … take the challenge and implement one of the tips today.

#turningyounglivesaround # #mentoringprogram #kickstartmentoringprogram #youngpeople #youthwork #youthempowerment

There's a new incentive to dig deep in support of your favourite charity.

We've recently heard that the federal government was creating an incentive for philanthropic funds to increased their support for charities.

The Assistant Minister for Charities Zed Seselja announced that public & private ancillary funds can be given a credit if they make total distributions >4% points above the minimum required level. “We know that many Australians are facing hard times, and that the role charities play in supporting those doing it tough is as important as ever,” Seselja said.

Last year, StreetWork 58% of our income was generated from individual & corporate donations. Due to COVID-19, some of our event-based fundraising activities have been postponed, which will also impact our income.

StreetWork's Social Return on Investment (SROI), calculated by PwC, is $16 (social return to community) for every $1 (invested). Put simply:

* $50 donation delivers a $800 community return
* $100 donation delivers a $1,600 community return
* $1,000 donation delivers a $16,000 community return
* $10,000 donation delivers a $160,000 community return
* $100,000 donation delivers a $1,600,000 community return

Take a closer look and make a donation … visit our website www.streetwork.org.au.

What are 'community connectors'?

At StreetWork, our Youth Case Workers take on the role of the community connector in order to build the support of specialised youth services around an at-risk young person (YP). Young people (and children) experience and observe a ‘hub’ of relationships in a their own setting. Each relationship contributes to creating a sense of community because each facilitates feelings of belonging, connectedness and inclusion. (KidsMatter, 2012, p.11).

At StreetWork we offer at-risk young people an opportunity to participate in our KickStart Mentoring Program which is a model of in-community (commonly referred to as outreach) support for vulnerable young people to reduce the risk factors impacting their lives.

For example, if the young people identifies a goal that they want to re-engage with education or school, together with their youth case worker, they develop a plan that helps them achieve this outcome. They meet as often as is needed to develop the patterns of behaviour required which may include having breakfast together, transport to school, support from a specialist service to develop good sleep hygiene & creating a morning routine … all of these contribute to succeed and the achievement of this goal.

Local community support is the key to success …. ‘It (does) takes a village to raise a child’.

Can charities survive this crisis?

A very interesting article from Good2Give which stated that 52% of charities do not expect to survive the next 12 months without continued financial aid. What can they do to ensure survival?

Link to the Good2Give article

Are you interested in knowing what SROI really means?

Social Return on Investment (SROI) is how organisations like StreetWork account for value created which is primarily a social value. SROI … is a way of measuring change by tracking social outcomes. To give a very simplistic example - SROI assigns a $ value to inputs and outcomes and then uses it to calculate a ratio. If that ratio is 5:1, it means that every $1 invested generates social value worth $5. PwC has calculated StreetWork's SROI ratio as 16:1 … put simply this means that for every $1 donated delivers a $16 social return to the community. Take a closer look at the StreetWork's SROI … visit our website www.streetwork.org.au

Risk and protective factors in the lives of young people ... what are they?

Have you ever wondered why do some young people end up involved in very risky behaviours such as drug and alcohol use or criminal activity, and others do not? The factors that lead to young people becoming involved in disruptive and destructive behaviour are complex and vary from person to person. Some of the risk factors can include, but are not limited to, alcohol and substance abuse, mental health issues, poor parental supervision, difficulties in school and employment, negative peer associations, poor personal and social skills, homelessness, neglect and abuse.

There are a number of protective factors that the StreetWork mentoring relationship can provide a young person in their development:
* Developing positive behaviours through setting boundaries and expectations
* Providing a sense of safety
* Developing life-skills
* Building a positive identity
* Build self-esteem and a sense of purpose

It's all about creating opportunities and skills to support young people turn their lives around.

Do you want to help turn a young life around by giving them a future?

StreetWork has an impressive track record supporting at-risk young people to turn their lives around through our early intervention programs, called the KickStart Mentoring Program. 15-year-old Peter* was referred to StreetWork by his concerned teacher as he had stopped attending school. He loved school but due to some problems at home & a few poor decisions he made, he was finding it really tough to continue.

StreetWork supported Peter to set goals to address a number of issues affecting him, with the ultimate aim of re-engaging in school. Together with his Youth Case Worker, Peter developed strategies to address the issues he was experiencing at home, work to improve his mental health & get back to school. As Peter also struggled with substance misuse, StreetWork supported him to receive the specialist drug & alcohol counselling he needed. After six months of one-on-one mentoring, Peter has successfully returned to school and is continuing to get the specialist support he needs. Peter is now thriving; he has a part-time job at a local cafe & no longer participates in some of his risk-taking behaviours.

Donate what you can via www.streetwork.org.au

How to you engage a 'disengaged' young person (YP)?

First of all we need to determine what does a disengaged young person look like.  Working with disengaged young person is really, really tough.  These are the young person who often don't want to talk, or may seemed bored, withdrawn, openly hostile and apathetic.  With these young person we need to try to offer them something interesting enough that they want to participate in a conversation.

As part of the StreetWork KickStart Mentoring Program our Youth Case Worker use a combination of strategies to engage young people.  This may include forming connections; being active and interactive; being brief without being hurried; assumes the best in every young person they work with; and apply a balanced blend of support and challenge.  Our Youth Case Worker assume the very best in every young person and create opportunities through inspiration and imagination. Do you want to learn more about our theory of change?

#turningyounglivesaround #mentoringprogram #youthempowerment #youthdevelopment #kickstartmentoringprogram #youngpeople

Have you ever wondered why setting a goal plan is so important in order to succeed?

Many may view planning as a 'boring chore' which is often viewed as an ‘inconvenient’ step on the path to success. However, StreetWork recognises that its core to the success of our KickStart Mentoring Program & therefore proven to be of great assistance to young people (YP). Without proper planning, we see the evidence of YP slipping back into their risky habits.

The goal plan as part of the mentoring program has a number of purposes:
* It empowers the YP to take ownership of their steps towards change
* It allows for reflection & a sense of achievement as tasks are completed
* It introduces the YP to other areas of support in their community
* It sets expectation for future challenges and steps to prepare
* It creates a positive sense of purpose in the YP’s life

Why not start your plan today … start by putting pen to paper on what goal you want to achieve. You then only need to break it down & start planning how you are going to achieve the goal you have set. Go on ... take the first step to achieve you goal by starting your plan.

Take a look at our website (www.streetwork.org.au) for more information.

#turningyounglivesaround #youngpeople #youthwork #youthempowerment

Have you ever wondered what good 'engagement' looks like?

At StreetWork we think that engagement with young people is a crucial factor to ensuring that they achieve their goals. It's the process of establishing effective working relationships so that there can be a common understanding of goals and a shared commitment to supporting them so the young person realise their goals.

Our youth case workers engage with young people by creating an environment that is conducive to them achieving the change they want. Developing open, honest and positive relationships is the key to success and this can be achieved through:
* productive two way communication
* the young person actively participating in decision making, goal setting and case planning
* promoting trust between the child or young person, family and worker
* genuine contribution and a greater sense of control by the young person

Why not try implementing one of these strategies to improve your engagement with a young person … I'm sure you'll be successful.

#turningyounglivesaround #kickstartmentoringprogram #youngpeople #youthempowerment