Future2 Grants 2009

Youth off the Streets - Scholarship Program

The Youth off the Streets Scholarship program targets young Australians aged between 14 and 21 years, who are disadvantaged and/or may be disconnected from their families or communities. The scholarships give them a vital boost enabling them to reach their full potential, achieve vocational goals and realise their capabilities.

Previous Scholarship recipient, Shayne, 20, has just completed his second year at university studying a Bachelor of Physical and Health Education. "The scholarship helped me fund all my academic and sporting needs, it helped me continue my education from high school and make a transition to university. It was the backbone of support for everything I did. Without it, I wouldn’t have been able to achieve any of the goals I had set myself” he said.

The program offers opportunities for involvement by financial planners who are FPA members, to provide young people with work experience and training, advice associated with their field of expertise or general mentoring support through various social activities.

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Time for Kids - Financial Wizards Project

Time for Kids - Financial Wizards Project is aimed at the young (16-25 year) parents of children who are receiving Time for Kids respite care and family support services. These young people have been thrust into parenting with limited household management skills and the responsibility of caring for a child without skills or role models to draw on.
10 participants will be able to attend each of the four workshops enabling 40 people together with their partners and children to benefit. They will cover areas such as goal setting and budgeting, household energy use, saving and spending, understanding bills and concessions.
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Working with the SA Chapter of the FPA, individual members will be invited to volunteer for two hours at each of the four workshops to mentor participants as they set up their household budget and develop their goals. FPA volunteers, who are supported by the Time for Kids financial counselor and project leader, will call the participant with whom they are matched one month after the workshop to offer encouragement and support.

“There are also opportunities for FPA members to become volunteer carers for a child from a disadvantaged household”, said Jo Wickes, Time for Kids’ CEO.

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Police & Community Youth Clubs - Music Program

The Police & Community Youth Clubs' Music Program aims to give marginalised under 18 year olds the chance to learn a musical instrument. The participants will come from low-income, high unemployment, predominantly Aboriginal suburbs of Orange where there is a high incidence of drug and alcohol abuse. They will be referred to the program by Police & Community Youth Clubs, youth workers, schools and Juvenile Justice. $4,000 of the grant will go towards three music scholarships for students to attend the Orange Regional Conservatorium and the remaining $6,000 for a new music class to be run over two years.

“It is our aim, through this exciting new program, to give a new music graduate from the Orange TAFE music program access to a teaching opportunity otherwise closed off, and to give the chance to learn a musical instrument to young people for whom it could transform life”, said Peter Roan CFP, a FPA member and key member of the team behind the program.

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