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Crash Through to achieve your goals

In term 4 2017, Cire Training was given the opportunity to pilot a program with the Brotherhood of St Lawrence and Box Hill TAFE. Crash Through is a condensed program based on Advantage Thinking and the creation of a non-school environment to encourage engagement and learning.

Advantaged Thinking is a philosophy about using the advantages we possess as humans – our assets, talents, resources and abilities to create the conditions for a society in which everyone can thrive.

Advantaged Thinking believes that everyone has a talent, the ability to be someone positive in life. With the right set of opportunities and support, we can identify and harness everyone’s talent for personal and social good.

Our participants were all young people aged between 17 and 40 who had experienced disadvantage, trauma or negative experiences of school and had disengaged at some point in their lives.

Participants were invited to attend a five-week program ran on a Wednesday afternoon from 2.00 – 4.00 pm. Facilitated by an experienced facilitator from the Brotherhood of St Lawrence and mentors currently enrolled at Box Hill TAFE undertaking Diploma of Community Services or Diploma of Youth Work.

The 10 participants supported by 20 mentors looked at different areas of their life and identified things that they liked and one thing they disliked or would like to change in their world. Participants created presentations about the area that they wanted to change.

Over the five weeks, they researched and discussed the area they wanted to change and worked with their mentor to plan steps in order to achieve that goal. At the end of the program, we had people working to change awareness on sexual abuse, drug and alcohol awareness, creating more sources in the community for drinking water, a father’s support network, a children’s book and looking at opportunities for employment.

At the end of the program, participants left with a more positive attitude and changed view towards learning and opportunities. The participants were able to develop relationships and to support each other to identify strategies for positive change.

Participants presented their projects and their outcomes to the group. They even encouraged each other and shared ideas on how to move forward.

Participant 1 – Felt accepted for the first time in her life. She went on to complete her Diploma and was accepted into university to commence a degree in biomedicine.

Participant 2 – learnt about the processes required to approach the Yarra Ranges Council in order to get drinking fountains in local parks.

Participant 3 is developing a storybook for children and has enrolled in the Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care.

For further information please call 1300 835 235.

Brotherhood of St Laurence