Entering Care Kits

We know that it can be a pretty difficult time when you’ve just entered care, so we have put together a survival pack for you.  It comes in a cool backpack and has some info about your personal rights, a CREATE t-shirt, our latest newsletter and some daily essentials for you.  To get a pack, just sign up to ClubCREATE which is an awesome club just for kids in care.  Hopefully being part of clubCREATE will help you feel connected to other kids in care who are going through similar things.

Email us at clubCREATE@create.org.au or give us a ring on 1800 655 105 to sign up.

Be.Heard

It’s really important for us to hear what you think about the care system.  You can have your say by being a part of our Be.Heard program. It’s really easy to Be.Heard as CREATE staff can make a time to come out and talk with you about your experience.  So if you’re between 8 and 18 give CREATE a call on 1800 655 105 to have your say!

mission.be

mission:be is a leadership, self-development, team building, goal setting and mentoring program for young people in care aged 14 to 18 years. This module-based program is delivered over a nine month period and focuses on community development, program delivery (one-day workshops, weekend residential programs and community activities), evaluation and participant follow-up.

Over the years mission:be has demonstrated capacity to deliver improvements in participant self esteem, leadership and communication skills, relationships, community involvement, educational engagement and performance and awareness of community services.

mission:be is delivered in metropolitan and rural regions throughout South Australia and relies heavily on the support, involvement and partnership of the local community. Community partners differ in each region, but often include a diverse range of voluntary local representatives such as government and sector workers, case workers, social workers, teachers, police, sport and recreation workers and employers, all of whom make positive and lasting impacts on the lives of young people in care.

Show me the ………

A fun, creative and adventurous one-day event for young people in care aged 14 to 18 years and an adult in their life (eg. worker, foster carer, sibling, relatives or significant person).

Show Me the Ropes and Show Me the Circus are two of the models used in local communities.

These events empower young people to strengthen their relationship with a significant adult, expand their existing networks and create relevant links for their future. For case workers and significant others involved in the lives of children and young people in care it is a personal and professional learning opportunity which allows participants to work in a positive, strengths-based environment with the young person.

Carn the Kids

Wanna come to the footy or soccer with CREATE?  If you live in VIC, ACT or NSW  then phone 1800 655 105 to find out what games we have coming up.  All you need to bring is an adult and your loudest cheering voice.  Get set for a great day of hot pies and loud cheers!

YAG is MAD

Bored, don’t know many other kids in care, want to help make the care system better?   Then YAG is for You.  YAG is our Youth Advisory Group.  Come along and tell us what you think about the care system. You could also join in with our training sessions – these can be anything from First Aid to youth law, or some fun at one of our social events like going to the movies or bowling.

Give us a call on 1800 655 105 to find out what’s on this month

Young Consultants

Do you want to be a young consultant for CREATE?  If you’re 14 or over you can do our awesome training program (up to 3 days) and become an official CREATE Young Consultant. Not only will you have a heap of fun, but you will learn skills in presentation and public speaking and learn all about the care system.  You will get to work alongside CREATE staff and help to tell others in the community what it is like to be in care.  From time to time Young Consultants get to go to conferences, consultations, forums and events to represent CREATE and young people in care.

Worker Training

Have you ever wanted to be able to tell a worker what you think would help you or another young person in care, but didn’t think you could?  Well, this is your chance. If you are a young consultant you can help CREATE staff run training sessions for workers who work directly with children and young people in out-of-home care.  Help us make a positive change to the care sector.

CREATE Your Future (CYF)

There are 3 parts to this awesome program including an 8 week action packed program, a website and the CYF Grant Scheme

The eight week, action packed program is about learning all there is to know about leaving care or becoming independent.  This is no ordinary program.  Where else do you get to learn really important stuff like how to cook, the ins and outs of getting a job, what services are out there to give you a hand, how to stay healthy and even practical stuff like getting an ID and Medicare card, whilst hanging out on high ropes, at McDonalds or even go-karting.

So if you live in the ACT and you’re 15-25 contact your local CREATE office on 1800 655 105 to find out when the next session starts.  You’ll have to be quick as places fill fast.
www.createyourfuture.org.au – is a website where you will learn heaps of important facts about leaving care or being independent!

We have tried to cover all the things you guys tell us you need to know about, like health, education, employment, money, where to go if you get in trouble and how to access different services that might be able to help out.  There are even some practical tips about doing boring stuff like your washing so that you don’t turn your white clothes pink!

CYF Grant Scheme

At CREATE we get that it’s tough to leave care so we have started our new CYF Grant Scheme.  If you’re  15 – 25 there might be something we can do to help.  Grants are between $300 and $3000 and you can apply for help with stuff like driving lessons, education & training, travel and conferences.  You can find out more at www.create.org.au or by calling 1800 655 105.

CREATE Bank

Do you live in the Northern Territory and are trying to reach your goal of being an AFL player, a lawyer, a photographer or a rock star?  Then we might be able to help.

CREATEbank is a small grant that you can apply for that might help you get kitted out with some school books, a new guitar, a camera, a local footy club membership or anything else you might need to help you reach your dream. You can apply for up to $250 and applications open in March each year.  For more details contact our NT office on 1800 655 105.