West Coast Youth and Community Support

A N N U A L R E P O R T

2 0 1 2

Join In Holiday Program Youth Mentoring Program

ICAN Online Study Program YAC—Muso Magic

Tunarama Ambassador—Jessica Webb Major Fundraiser for Youthoria Digital

Projector

Leadership Camp Youthoria Donation

Contents Page

Mission Statement

Vision Statement

Contents: Page: 2012 Organisational Chart 2 2012 Board Meeting Attendance 3

Chairperson’s Report 4

Manager’s Report 5

Homelessness Services Report 6 Youth Programs Report 8

Family and Youth Counsellor’s Report 9

Youthoria Cinema Report 10

Financial Reports 12

We aspire to a thriving community where all people are valued

West Coast Youth and Community Support Inc. is a vibrant,

responsive, client focused service that empowers young people, individuals and families on Eyre Peninsula to implement changes enabling access to housing and healthy community participation.

Youth Programs Manager C5 (FTE)

Angela Perin

Youth Worker C3 (FTE)

Steven Tokarski

Youth Worker C3 (FTE)

Shaun Mathias

Youth Worker C3

(.2 PTE) Brendan Fitzgerald

Contract Youth Worker C2 (FTE)

Zelma Broadfoot

Trainee - Community Studies

Jeffrey Shannon

Case Manager C4

Josie Bilney

Case Worker C3

Chris Warner

Case Worker C3

Case Worker C3 (.6 PTE)

Sam Cope

Family & Youth Counsellor

C5 (.8 PTE)

Sue Berry/Kathleen Ryan

MANAGER Julie Davis

Shaun Mathias

Homelessness Services Manager C5 (.8 PTE)

Jo Clark

Case Manager C4

(.9 PTE) Josie Bilney

Shelter Worker C3 (.2 PTE)

Marilyn Johnson

Case Worker C3 (.5 PTE)

Chris Warner

Shelter Worker C3 (.2 PTE)

Brendan Fitzgerald

Case Worker C3 (.6 PTE) Vacant

Shelter Worker C3 (.2 PTE)

Jenny Duffield

Case Worker C3 (.6 PTE)

Sam Cope

Case Worker C3 (.2 PTE)

Sarah O'Grady

Administration Officer

Family & Youth Counsellor

C5 (.8 PTE)

ue Berry/Kathleen Ryan

Youthoria Manager

(FTE)

Kristy Cherini

C5 (.8 PTE) Administration Officer

C2 (.6 PTE) Julie Chambers

Youthoria Manager

2012 Board Meeting Attendance

Board Member Relevant Experience Attendance

Anna Papazoglov Chairperson

Currently Training Manager-Training Services at Port Lincoln TAFE campus, extensive board and community experience. Interested in improving educational outcomes for everyone.

6 of 7

Cherie Parker Treasurer

Local Accountant - Bachelor of Commerce, Member of the Institute of Public Accountants. Community

interests include youth, hockey and is currently the Secretary of Lincoln South Club.

4 of 7

Nellie Hirschausen

Team Leader – Family Violence Legal Service Aboriginal

Corporation (SA). Qualifications relating to Youth, Aboriginal Health Care, Mental Health, Training and

Assessment. Extensive experience in Community Services Sector. Interest in local community and

Aboriginal affairs.

1 of 7

Justin Slater Local Lawyer with extensive legal and corporate

experience. Previous experience in Youth Sector. Has a passion for family, youth, music and surfing.

5 of 7

Bruce Green

Mayor, Pt Lincoln City Council — 3 years. Experienced

in local government Issues, youth advocacy, funding opportunities, governance and business experience.

7 of 7

Leanne O’Connor Housing Officer—Housing SA. Experienced, supervisor

and Team Leader, community networks, OHS&W implementation.

7 of 7

Glenys Tiller Regional Youth Worker based in Tumby Bay, High

School teacher, Families SA mentor, youth worker, community connections.

4 of 7

Jessica Webb Vice-Chair

Currently studying B Ed, strong links with local sporting, media and youth networks, including YAC and

Youthoria.

7 of 7

Deb Marks Local Teacher - manages the Port Lincoln High School Community Learning Centre and co-ordinates Flexible Learning Options for secondary students. History of involvement with youth organisations; rural film nights, fundraising events and managing community art exhibitions.

5 of 7

Chairperson’s Report

Greetings to you all. In my first year as Chairperson of the Board of West Coast Youth and Community Support I have been extremely impressed with the professionalism, energy and range of activities being undertaken. This year has been one of continuing growth and consolidation. The Board has been working very closely with Julie Davis, Manager on the key aspects of the Board Charter - legal and financial accountability and performance to assist the organisation to reach its best potential. The Board has been kept well informed of the various activities and challenges being faced on the ground during this time of change also. Extensive work has been undertaken to improve and simplify financial reporting and auditing during this year. Expansion of services has been witnessed during this year. Many partnerships and networks have been developed and strengthened with organisations such as Eyre Futures, Job Network Providers, Yarredi, PLACC Port Lincoln Community Learning Centre and schools. There has been a focus in training for youth with many programs utilising Youthoria as an excellent training backdrop. The strength of West Coast Youth and Community Support in provision of youth programs and support has resulted in becoming a key provider of case management for young people through ICAN (Innovative Community Action Network). Adult Community Education (ACE) funding was also successfully tendered to provide further opportunities for addressing gaps in education, personal development and training for our clients. Programs targetting homelessness, living skills courses, parenting groups for teenagers are some examples. The focus on extending community awareness and planning local solutions to homelessness has taken more centre stage this year. This has been an important direction fully endorsed by the Board. Julie Davis is currently the Chair of the Housing Round Table which provides a critical point of reference. Outcomes in our homelessness activities has seen above target and strong positive results this year. Youthoria has established itself as a positive, safe venue for young people and the general community. It is an invaluable asset for Port Lincoln and surrounding areas. Youthoria continues to build its capacity for future sustainability and this has been boosted through the recent purchase of a new digital projector. This would not have been possible without the significant efforts in fundraising undertaken by Tunarama entrant Jess Webb, Port Lincoln City Council, Member for Flinders Peter Treloar, Bendigo Community Bank, local business and community support and donations. I take this moment to extend congratulations to Jess Webb on her achievements as the 2012 Tunarama Ambassador and Highest Fundraiser. The level of activity has seen an incredible growth in staff from 10 to 20 people in two years. This is particularly so for case management and youth workers. Workforce development and training has had a strong focus on staff empowerment through professional development to achieve qualifications (eg Traineeships in Community Services, Certificate IV in Youth Work, Diploma and degree courses) and other targetted upskilling. This investment is very important to the sustainability of the organisation and the individual and our capacity to provide a professional level of service into the future. I extend my sincere thanks to all the staff and volunteers who have strived tirelessly to achieve the goals of West Coast Youth and Community Support Inc. Many thanks to the Board members for their continued support and commitment and thank you to Justin and Cherie who have again renominated for their positions on this Board. Anna Papazoglov

Manager’s Report

2012 has been an extremely productive and eventful year with lots of hard work and successful client outcomes achieved across all departments. The workload of the Homelessness Services team, Youth Programs team and the Counselling team has been immense. The creative ideas,compassion and energy put in by these teams to help clients achieve better outcomes in their lives is admirable and to be applauded. Training has been a strong focus this year – for staff as well as offering training programs to clients. Our staff have attended a large number of relevant training programs related to mental health, case management, computer and software training, OHS &W training and more. Within the team there has been a focus on improving staff qualifications with four staff obtaining a Certificate 4 in Youth Work, one studying a Social Work degree and another a Psychology Degree. Study backs up the staff professionalism and passion for this work with appropriate qualifications, strengthening the skill base of the organisation. We have been very pro-active in filling “gaps” in services and client needs this year. Several programs have been developed and offered to clients to improve their skills and move them in a positive direction in their lives. The 4 Real Renting Program is a 10 week program offered to clients to help them break the cycle of homelessness. Our counselling staff identified the need for some kind of support group for parents of teenagers and developed a short 6 week program that works in small groups of parents to improve their skills in managing teenage behaviour. Both of these programs are achieving excellent results and were successfully incorporated into our application for ACE funding to provide these programs locally. Our Youth Programs team has had a very large client base this year and includes case management of high school and primary age students for the second year running in group programs designed to smooth their successful transition to High School. ICAN support has been extended to several regional schools this year including Cleve, Cowell, Tumby Bay, Poonindie, Lake Wangary as well as Port Lincoln based schoools. The feedback from parents about their child’s progress has been very positive and heartening to the Youth Programs team whose key focus is on the wellbeing of the student and re-engaging them with education. The continued demand for Homelessness Services and in particular a lack of options for homeless men and adults saw us instigate the establishment of a local Housing Round Table to discuss and implement strategies to address or improve local homelessness. Participants of this group include local support services and agencies, Member for Flinders and Council staff. After a successful grant application we have appointed a Project Officer to assist in researching and carrying out some of the projects we have in mind to enable us to advocate for improved services. We have expanded the Mentoring Program this year by recruiting several new mentors who are working individually with clients or assisting the Youth Program team with group work. We have added a volunteer who generously donate their time each week to help our clients. We are very grateful for their efforts and support. Last but not least, after a mammoth fundraising campaign by Tunarama Ambassador Jessica Webb who raised $31700, large donations from the Port Lincoln Bendigo Bank, Port Lincoln City Council, general public and finally, the state treasurer we raised enough money to upgrade to the latest in digital cinema technology at Youthoria! The improvement for the viewer is outstanding and ease of operation greatly improved. What a busy year! Julie Davis

Homelessness Services Report

Homelessness Trends There have been numerous changes over the last twelve months and several trends emerging within Homelessness Services Department. A significant change was merger of Youthaven and Outreach into one Department to deliver all of WCYCS NAHA Service Agreement elements. This has enabled more streamlined services for youth clients and a holistic family based model for the majority of other clients. It ensures a more cohesive delivery of the NAHA case management model to all clients and a consistency in planning of housing needs for all persons experiencing homelessness from crisis accommodation to post crisis support The other big change was the rollout of the electronic case management data base h2H. This past year has seen all staff undergo training in this new and sometimes complicated tool. Management staff have had to familiarise themselves with not only a new case management tool but also ensure accurate statistics and Key Performance Indicators are being met. This has been difficult at times but the year ahead looks positive as “glitches” in h2H are being rectified and unmet areas identified and alternative record keeping methods put in place. Three service delivery target trends have emerged as areas of concern and WCYCS Homelessness Service Department are strategically planning to address these trends;

Trend Planning

Younger people presenting (U17) - Homeless with no

reunification options apparent - Long term exit planning

difficult due to lack of Youth housing availability

- Collaborative Practise with Families SA to ensure safety issues addressed by child protection agency

- Individualised approach to Young People to ensure best possible chance of success transitioning from crisis to Youth housing

- Raised awareness at Interagency Meeting - Living Skills development priority to ensure young people have

skills to sustain tenancy

Single Men - Long Term Homeless - Fathers unable to access

visitation with children due to transience and lack of stability

- Limited income, MH and AOD complexities

- Raised awareness at Interagency Meeting (Housing round table etc)

- Ensure high risk for homelessness recorded to ensure priority for housing if possible

- Advocacy with Housing Agencies - Including children’s needs in case planning with fathers

50% Aboriginal Client base - Majority of long term housing

options limited to housing SA (ie limited exit points)

- Complex case management requirements (increased service delivery requirements)

- Consultation with Aboriginal community in regard to specific local needs

- Interagency meetings and collaboration with Aboriginal Specific organisations

- Raise awareness with funders re increase service delivery costings to ensure effective and culturally appropriate support

Data gathered in the 2011 Census estimates puts the number of homeless people in Australia at 105,237 (a 17% increase in the number of people who are homeless) up from 89,728 in 2006. This is a rate of

49 persons per 10,000, which is an 8% increase from 2006.

Youthaven Statistics

Client Statistics 2012 Total Clients: 289 Female 143 49.8% Male 144 50.2% Client demographic summary ATSI - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Total % of total Non ATSI 145- 50.5% ATSI 142 -49.5%

Client Contacts 2012

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

2012 - 13

2011 - 12

2010-11

2009-10

9%

6%

5%

2%1%

19%

5%2%2%1%

15%

2%

4%

3%

4%

11%

2%7%

Advocacy/ Liason

Drug & Alcohol Support

Employment/Education

Financial Couns/Support

Furniture

Housing

Information

Legal/Court Support

Material Aid

Medical

Mental Health

Office Facilities

Property Maintenance

Transport

Family & Relationships

Living skills

DV/Assault support

Other

Skate Competition 2012

Muso Magic 2012

ICAN has been a major focus for Youth Programs this year, with expansion both in numbers of students, numbers of schools involved as well as service provision to more remote locations (Cowell, Cleve and Tumby Bay). In turn, this has led to an increase in resource requirements such as staffing and office equipment.

Our main focus for ICAN students this year has been Literacy, Numeracy and Social Skill Development for Primary and middle school students, and employment and education pathway development for high school students. It has sometimes been a struggle to develop individualised plans for each of the students, as this has often required staff to play the role of case workers/managers, educators, carers and advocates. Although we have had to add to the staff team, we have been lucky that staff have worked hard to develop the required skills and knowledge to provide an exceptional service to students, parents and schools.

♦ Our Port Lincoln Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) has been re-invented this year, with a new younger cohort taking up the challenge. Our most successful recruitment has come out of Leadership Camps that were run by the Youth Programs Team.

♦ Community Engagement has been the aim for Port Lincoln YAC, with YAC members contributing through to their community through peer mentoring roles, volunteering roles and event management roles. A number of our bigger events and projects over the last twelve months has included Teen Tunarama, Mega Muso’s, Youth Week, Muso Magic and just recently, Relay for Life.

♦ It is expected that with a reduction in ICAN numbers in 2013, more time will be spent by the Youth Programs Team on non ICAN programs focussing on Youth Engagement and Youth Development.

Youth Programs Report

This year we have shared the position of Family and Youth Counsellor. Client load has been fairly demanding with referrals from a range of sources – schools, Families SA and other community services organizations. Some clients are self-referred. It is interesting that this year 45% of our clients have been linked to counselling through our Homelessness service and Youth Programs area. In addition it is noteworthy that

• Approximately 62 % of those engaging in counselling are actually young people between 12

are family members.

• Approximately 65 % of clients are families experiencing conflict between parents and teenagers.*

• Approximately 42 % of presenting situations reveal a history of abuse or domestic violence.

Family Support Group – for parents of teenagers

It has been exciting to get this program off the ground as a proactive response to the issues described in the above statistics*. The aim is to provide the opportunity for connection with other parents and development of new parenting skills in a supportive environment. Six parents completed the first course and five the second. A third group is underway. Feedback has been encouraging:

Sue Berry and Kathleen Ryan

Initial reasons for seeking counselling

“It was good to hear from other parents that they had similar problems.” “I found that I am thinking in a different way about my daughter’s behaviour happening for her.” “I have tried listening more - and it works!”

“I found learning about the basic needs useful.”

Family and Youth Cou

This year we have shared the position of Family and Youth Counsellor. Client load has been fairly demanding with schools, Families SA and other community services organizations. Some clients are

resting that this year 45% of our clients have been linked to counselling through our Homelessness service and Youth Programs area. In addition it is noteworthy that

Approximately 62 % of those engaging in counselling are actually young people between 12

Approximately 65 % of clients are families experiencing conflict between parents and teenagers.*

Approximately 42 % of presenting situations reveal a history of abuse or domestic violence.

arents of teenagers

It has been exciting to get this program off the ground as a proactive response to the issues described in the above statistics*. The aim is to provide the opportunity for connection with other parents and development of new parenting kills in a supportive environment. Six parents completed the first course and five the second. A third group is underway. Feedback has been encouraging:

Initial reasons for seeking counselling

Family conflict

Mental health

Grief

Family Court referrals

It was good to hear from other parents that they had similar problems.”

thinking in a different way about my daughter’s behaviour

and it works!”

“I found learning about the basic needs useful.”

Family and Youth Counsellor’s Report

This year we have shared the position of Family and Youth Counsellor. Client load has been fairly demanding with schools, Families SA and other community services organizations. Some clients are

resting that this year 45% of our clients have been linked to counselling through our

Approximately 62 % of those engaging in counselling are actually young people between 12 and 25. Others

Approximately 65 % of clients are families experiencing conflict between parents and teenagers.*

Approximately 42 % of presenting situations reveal a history of abuse or domestic violence.

It has been exciting to get this program off the ground as a proactive response to the issues described in the above statistics*. The aim is to provide the opportunity for connection with other parents and development of new parenting kills in a supportive environment. Six parents completed the first course and five the second. A third group is

thinking in a different way about my daughter’s behaviour - about what is

Youthoria Cinema Report

Digital Projection Upgrade Operating Youthoria as a Social Enterprise Project has continued to be inspiring but challenging this year. We were made aware in 2011 that all cinemas would be required to upgrade to digital projection prior to December 2013. We discussed this at length at the Board of Director’s meetings and Youthoria Management Committee meetings as raising the required $90000 would be no easy task and we were not in a position to fund this ourselves. We were very fortunate that Jessica Webb, a long serving Youth Advisory Committee and WCYCS Board member volunteered to enter the Tunarama Quest as an entrant and fundraise for Youthoria. After 28 events, heaps of time and effort by our very committed entrant Jessica and supported by the local radio station – Magic 89.9, Jessica raised a massive $41000 towards the projector. This deposit gave us all hope that we could actually reach the end target required and by leveraging this funding with several other grant submissions and appeals, plus a contribution of $34000 from the State Government we were finally able to upgrade and install the new projector in September 2012. We would like to acknowledge the huge community and business support that saw major donations from Port Lincoln Community Bank ($15000), Port Lincoln City Council ($10000), various individual donations as well as community and WCYCS fundraisers. We have been humbled by the response and support to keep the cinema operating and serving the community plus providing training and employment opportunities for local youth.

From this…. To this… Staffing

We continue to provide training and employment to one full time staff member and 10 part time youth who are receiving training in customer service, projection, food handling and hygeine, teamwork and other work ready skills to enable them to move onto other employment. Since taking over the cinema in 2009, 32 staff have received training and skill building and moved on to other employment which we think is a great achievement and outcome for the project. We are also pleased to have been able to provide a Retail Traineeship opportunity to one of the staff which is nearing completion. Operating with a full time Manager has made the operation easier to run and Kristy Cherini has done a great job of learning this new role and has a great understanding of the cinema operation, production company limitations and requirements and good knowledge of how the projector works. We need to acknowledge the amount of technical support we receive locally from Tyler Forrest who comes in on a moments notice to assist with projection problems and has been a very loyal supporter and advocate for the cinema from its inception.

Wallis Cinema Support

Both Kristy and Tyler receive ongoing cinema and technical support from a variety of employees at Wallis Cinemas in Adelaide who continue to advocate for maintaining independent regional cinemas and helping them remain vtheir support and patience knows now bounds. A huge Thank You must go to Bob Parr and Phil Branford and others at Wallis for their help and without whose advice the sourcing and purchase of the digital equipment would not have been possible. Financial News

Financial profitability and viability of the cinema continues to be a challenge with a strong focus on new ways of increasing turnover and attendance. The upgrade to digital projection and improvement in sound and vision saw a $9000 sales increase from the October 2011 School Holiday period to the 2012 School Holiday period which is very encouraging. We have started holding Ladies Nights which have proved very popular and have several other ideas in the pipeline to increase attendance.

Ladies Night Poster Movie Themed Tunarama Float

Port Lincoln Community Bank Donation

Both Kristy and Tyler receive ongoing cinema and technical support from a variety of employees at Wallis Cinemas in Adelaide who continue to advocate for maintaining independent regional cinemas and helping them remain vtheir support and patience knows now bounds. A huge Thank You must go to Bob Parr and Phil Branford and others at Wallis for their help and without whose advice the sourcing and purchase of the digital equipment would not have

Financial profitability and viability of the cinema continues to be a challenge with a strong focus on new ways of increasing turnover and attendance. The upgrade to digital projection and improvement in sound and vision saw a

ncrease from the October 2011 School Holiday period to the 2012 School Holiday period which is very encouraging. We have started holding Ladies Nights which have proved very popular and have several other ideas in

Movie Themed Tunarama Float 2012 Teen Tunarama Entrants

Port Lincoln Community Bank Donation

Both Kristy and Tyler receive ongoing cinema and technical support from a variety of employees at Wallis Cinemas in Adelaide who continue to advocate for maintaining independent regional cinemas and helping them remain viable, their support and patience knows now bounds. A huge Thank You must go to Bob Parr and Phil Branford and others at Wallis for their help and without whose advice the sourcing and purchase of the digital equipment would not have

Financial profitability and viability of the cinema continues to be a challenge with a strong focus on new ways of increasing turnover and attendance. The upgrade to digital projection and improvement in sound and vision saw a

ncrease from the October 2011 School Holiday period to the 2012 School Holiday period which is very encouraging. We have started holding Ladies Nights which have proved very popular and have several other ideas in

2012 Teen Tunarama Entrants

Head Office Team: Rear – Julie Davis, Josie Bilney, Kristy Cherini, Julie Chambers, Sue Berry, Sam Cope, Chris

Warner, Angela Perin, Steven Tokarski, Zelma Broadfoot Front – Jeffrey Shannon, Jo Clark, Shaun Mathias (Absent – Kathleen Ware)

Youthaven Team: Marilyn Johnson, Brendan Fitzgerald, Sarah O’Grady, Jenny Duffield, Jo Clark

8 Mortlock Terrace (PO Box 1416)

PORT LINCOLN SA 5606 Phone/Fax: (08) 8683 0072