SYFS CEO Narelle Clay; Cringila P.S. principal Amanda Giles; Warrawong P.S. community liaison officer Paula Thurgate; Cunningham MP Alison Byrnes; SYFS Cringila Community Centre’s development worker Persa Atkins and community worker Gordana Seljanovska. Photo: Supplied.
A program in Cringila which supports disadvantaged young people in their educational journey has received a $15,000 grant from the Federal Government to help foster academic success and a sense of belonging.
Southern Youth and Family Services (SYFS) is set to benefit from a funding boost for 60 neighbourhood houses, neighbourhood centres and community centres across the country to help the charitable organisation continue delivering vital services.
The grant will enable SYFS to deliver the Cringila Learning Resource Support program which aims to equip disadvantaged young people with tools to re-engage with education and employment.
“The grant is so welcomed – it’s being used to purchase school items for vulnerable young people,” SYFS CEO Narelle Clay said.
“The main purpose is to assist with the transitioning of children/young people from primary school to high school and to support other high school students, especially in elective subjects or subjects that require additional resources, like mathematics and science.
“It is so positive for us to see the joy that the parents and children/young people show when they receive this help.”
SYFS supports families and young people in the Illawarra and south-eastern NSW through a range of services including accommodation, counselling, mediation, and programs targeted at improving outcomes for at-risk local families.
That expertise and connection will be used throughout the Cringila Learning Resource Support program, which will not only provide essential back-to-school supplies but also connect families with wraparound support services.
“We know that keeping young people engaged in education and employment leads to more positive outcomes in the long run,” Cunningham MP Alison Byrnes said.
“By taking a holistic approach to re-engagement, SYFS is working to foster long-term stability for these at-risk families, keeping them in school and connecting them with the early intervention services they need.”
The $15,000 is part of a $780,000 investment across the country to support facilities and services which help more than 400,000 Australians each week to feel welcome, safe and connected.
“Neighbourhood houses and centres can offer a lifeline to vulnerable people, supporting them to meaningfully reconnect and engage with their communities,” Social Services Minister Tania Plibersek said.
To find out more about SYFS and its programs visit the SYFS website.
