If the passion and enthusiasm of Youth Solutions’ latest intake for its Youth Advisory Group is anything to go by, the future of our community is in safe hands.
Last month, Youth Solutions welcomed the first cohort for its 2016 – 2017 Youth Advisory Group (YAG), with the members already taking to planning community activities and projects.
This year’s intake has attracted young people with a range of backgrounds, including high school, TAFE and university students, as well as individuals working full time, with skills and interests in health science, community services, youth work and accounting. Binding the group together is a passion for making a difference in the community, an interest in improving the health and wellbeing of young people and strong ties to the Macarthur community.
Youth Solutions CEO Geraldine Dean was thrilled to welcome the new YAG and has already been impressed by their passion and hard work.
“We are very fortunate to have such an enthusiastic and hardworking group of young people on our Youth Advisory Group this year,” Mrs Dean said.
“The YAG plays such a vital role at Youth Solutions, ensuring that our work is appropriately engaging with the young people in our community.
“Our YAG members assist the Youth Solutions team to plan and implement community activities and play an important supporting and consultative role in our service delivery.
“Along with our other peer educators, the YAG are also involved in delivering our program workshops with their peers around a range of issues of including safer celebrating and drug and alcohol effects.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“The YAG will also lead the #whyichoose campaign next year, which addresses the issue of tobacco smoking and the importance of making safer choices in relation to tobacco.”[/social_quote]
First up on the YAG calendar was an R U OK? Day stall to raise awareness about looking after the mental health and wellbeing or yourself and those around you.
To celebrate the initiative, the YAG hosted an interactive community stall with giveaways, activities and information, at Macarthur Square’s Kellicar Lane last Thursday, September 9.
The YAG will also get a head start on celebrating Mental Health Month, by holding an interactive stall at the Do you know who cares? Community Services Expo at Bowral Memorial Hall on Thursday, September 29. Community members are invited to pop by between 10am and 1pm.
The 2016 – 2017 YAG members are: Danielle Kahn, Gopi Subramanian, Karralene Cox, Kassee Payne, Lauren Payne, Rachel Scott and Samantha McAuley.
Young people interested in joining the Youth Solutions YAG or Peer Education Program can contact Youth Development Coordinator, Karen Yuen, phone 4628 2319 or email yag@youthsolutions.com.au.
Youth Solutions is a health promotion and youth drug and alcohol prevention charity.
For more information about Youth Solutions, or for drug and alcohol education, information, referral, or the current activities of Youth Solutions, phone 4628 2319, email info@youthsolutions.com.au or click here to go the website.
