Youth Connect Connecting young people to mainstream communities

Jessica Kain Youth Connect Program Coordinator

1986 – RAP Pilot project was funded 1989 – Incorporated as Recreation Network 1990s – Sport development, PSO and ATE 2005 – Began offering training on inclusion 2010 – Became Inclusion WA 2011 – Youth Connect pilot was funded 2012 – ActiveSmart and research funded About Inclusion WA

Individualised Service Short term support (3 – 12months) Take the time to get to know them with no pressure to reach certain targets Work with the community group and the young person equally What is Youth Connect?

Help young people connect to existing mainstream community groups Work yourself out of a job - involve them in the whole process Provide advice and referrals to specialist agencies and more appropriate support What is Youth Connect?

Young people who are eligible for the program are referred to us by; Disability Services Commission staff ESC Teachers and Principles Depts of Justice & Corrective Services Parents Other disability service organisations What are the entry points?

What sort of things are we helping young people connect to?

Think OUTSIDE the box!

Dr Who Fan Club Tennis Club Art Classes Glee Club Volunteering Medieval Club Trampolining Quad Biking Cricket Swimming Lessons Laser Tag League Teen Fitness Classes Dance KnittingSkating Lessons Cadets Film Making Classes

How do we find out what young people want and what they are interested in?

iPad Apps Power of ten YouTube Community Asset Mapping Flash Cards Ask friends and family Questions

Where and how do we find out about things?

Community Centres Libraries Rec Centres Youth Centres Local & State Government Peak Sporting & Rec Organisations

Shopping Centre Pin-Up Boards Community Newspapers Schools and Universities Churches Consider Volunteering Youth-led Organisations

So we have found a group or club... What next?

Ask the right questions Be honest and upfront Be firm, not pushy Consider pathways Consider different roles

Youth Connect Philosophy We believe that inclusion in social and recreational activities improves a young person’s wellbeing and self-confidence.

Youth Connect Philosophy We will use these activities as a vehicle to help young people build meaningful social connections, develop social and self-advocacy skills, address personal goals and experience a sense of belonging.

Youth Connect Philosophy We will take the time to develop an understanding of who each person is and where they’re at in life. We will then address the barriers preventing a young person’s connection and collaborate with other people as necessary.

Youth Connect Philosophy We will lead by example, and be the role model for the young people we are working with as well as the general community.

Youth Connect Philosophy We will encourage young people to push their own boundaries in terms of discovering who they are, what they are capable of and what they can achieve versus their expectation of themselves or society’s expectation of them.

Youth Connect Philosophy We will do this by giving young people the chance to have new experiences, the opportunity to take risks and the freedom to make mistakes and learn from them.

Youth Connect Philosophy In doing all of this, and by working with young people and their community equally, we hope to achieve improved long-term outcomes for all.

Youth Connect Philosophy We also hope to help break a cycle of people with disabilities being excluded and dependent on services and others.

The Challenges

Trayen, 16 Speculative Fiction Dr Who Writing Web Comics Video Games

Maddy, 16 Helping people Sports Animals

Gio, 18 Electronics Technology Speakers Fans Stereos

Jess, 18 Bowling Knitting Helping the elderly and children

The Challenges Easing the transition from school Opportunity to contribute Increased confidence and self-esteem Being in mainstream settings for once Increased skills in independence Making friendsSense of belonging Access to relevant role models Developing talents & skills

The Challenges

Managing the waitlist Negative community attitudes Creating meaningful experiences Dealing with parents Funding Sustainability Finding age appropriate groups

Youth Connect