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Team Connect
Team Newsletter November/December 2019
Message from CEO As we come to the end of 2019, I want to thank all of you for your hard work and continued commitment to help change our young people’s stories. I am constantly reminded of the impact our clubs play in communities, and it is the reason I continue to lead this great team, as your passion and your support really does make the difference.
Helping change young people’s stories this festive season
This month, several clubs and members deserve special acknowledgement including PCYC Bornhoffen, who won two awards at the Outdoors Queensland Awards and PCYC Mount Isa, who also won two awards at Mount Isa’s Young People Ahead Community Services Awards.
Growing up in an indigenous community in Far North Queensland, Chelsea witnessed many of the challenges that face young people in her area including very low employment prospects, social issues and difficult situations at home.
Congratulations also goes to two special young members, PCYC Bowen member Gemma Reibel who received a Fred Hollows Humanity Award, and PCYC Gold Coast Youth Management Team (YMT) member Kaitlyn Barwick for being a finalist in the Gold Coast’s Women in Business Empowering Young Women category. Well done to all involved, I am incredibly proud of the achievements shared with me from across the state.
Like many young people, Chelsea became involved in her local PCYC Queensland club to play sport and gain friendships in a safe environment.
Wishing you and your families a safe and happy festive season, and I look forward to another great year in 2020.
Phil Schultz Chief Executive Officer
Chelsea was a young girl who lacked confidence and struggled to engage with others in her community and at school. After being referred to her local PCYC Queensland club, her story began to change.
“I really enjoy coming to PCYC it brings happiness to me when I come here. It helps me get things off my mind just coming here meeting new people and playing different sports every night, I enjoy that! It’s a good time away from home, from all the stress, and just coming here being a happy kid running around playing all the sports.” With mentoring and support to participate in basketball and other sports, Chelsea soon built up her confidence and made new friends and this year was one of 200 young people selected to participate in the State Youth Leadership Program (SYLP). “When I went on SYLP I was like a shy, not outgoing person. But SYLP really built up my confidence to be able to talk to people. It was a really good experience just getting out of my community and making new friends and learning new things.”
Coming up
Chelsea is currently completing Year 11 and is looking to complete her secondary education, as well as a gardening traineeship with local council. She continues to attend her local PCYC club and is a positive role model to those around her.
18 January | PCYC Ashmore gym launch 21 February | PCYC Beenleigh gym launch
Today Chelsea is a confident, active, happy young person who credits PCYC Queensland’s staff, volunteers and police officers in changing her story. Thank you for making the difference!
Upcoming PCYC Queensland events
Building safer, healthier communities through youth development
pcyc.org.au