Meaningful employment and education is the best way out of poverty. Your generosity is empowering young people to pursue their dreams through a scholarship program.
Young people who have taken that first step and completed courses through one of our programs (Triple Care Farm, Creative Youth Initiatives or South West Youth Services) are encouraged to apply for a scholarship for the costs involved for further education and employment.
Students have turned their lives around and pursued opportunities that they never thought possible. Young people have enrolled in university to study forensics, education and entered the National Institute for Dramatic Arts—just to name a few examples. Through support of the youth scholarship program, you too can open doors that transform lives.
The ultimate reward is the satisfaction of helping a troubled young person to turn their life around. The scholarship was an important turning point in Shelley’s* troubled life.
Shelley*, one of the CYI scholarship award winners was proud to share her story:
“Like all the students who come into Creative Youth Initiatives (CYI), I had personal issues. I was diagnosed with a mental illness and this was a major disruption in my life. I was unable to work and was surviving on Centrelink benefits.
"CYI helped me cope by encouraging me to create art. This took my mind off my personal issues and gave me time to heal myself. Throughout the course, my self-esteem and confidence came back. I had more control over my life and, for the first time since being diagnosed, I felt happy. I especially enjoyed coming out of my comfort zone to try the things I had never done before.
"At the end of term, when I had my Artworks! group exhibition, I sold a lot of my art. It felt great that people appreciated my creativity. I remember my family attending the opening night. Every time I got a red dot next to my artwork, my Dad would run up to tell me!” To see my family so proud that I’ve regained my confidence and improved as a person felt fantastic!
"Towards the end of my time at Creative Youth Initiatives, I applied for a TAFE course. I also applied for a scholarship through Sir David Martin Foundation. I was lucky enough to get both! I got into Design Entertainment at Enmore TAFE which is the best design school in NSW. The scholarship helped me immensely at TAFE, as I have been able to concentrate on study and the vouchers have enabled me to get the required materials. I have since had some commission work, including my design being used at the Homebake Music Festival merchandise. It is all very exciting.”
Help assist others like Shelley achieve their goals and realise their potential, by making a donation today.
*name changed to protect privacy.