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YOS partnerships help make dreams come true
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tories of hope, encouragement and inspiration flowed during The Salvation Army Youth Outreach Service (YOS) education programs graduation and awards ceremony at Stafford Corps in Brisbane late last year. Sherene Hicks, YOS manager, led the ceremony which was attended by friends and family of the graduates as well as partner agencies and Salvation Army corps. The graduates came from the school groups across all four YOS locations, with 13 graduates from Year 10, eight from Year 11, and 14 from Year 12. Three young people also received a Charters Towers Distance Education award. Students from YOS at Lawnton and Caboolture study through this school. “This year we have also started the YOS education scholarship fund awards and we were able to give two of these,” said Sherene. “One of the recipients, Catherine, has been accepted into the Mater Hospital’s nursing program.” The number of scholarships awarded is based on donations made into the scholarship fund. Graduation also acknowledges and celebrates the YOS
YOS staff and graduates celebrate. (Back row, left to right) Dina (staff), Elyce Gordon (graduate), Major Rod Ainsworth, Major Leonie Ainsworth, Cheryl (staff), and (front row, left to right) Gabrielle Booth (graduate), Selena Barron (graduate).
community partnerships with St James College, Everton Park State High School, Charters Towers School of Distance Education, The Department of Education and Salvation Army corps. “We can’t do our work in isolation,” Sherene explained. “In partnership with the community, together we can see young people achieve their educational dreams and move on from where there they are at. “Our program is also about students’ personal dreams and aspirations, about the young people believing in themselves and knowing they have the potential to achieve their goals.” The relationship between YOS in Lawnton and the Pine Rivers Corps is helping the young people to do just that. “This relationship is proving to be a natural reflection of One Army One Mission and working together for common goals,” said Major Leonie Ainsworth, Pine Rivers Corps Officer. While YOS has been co-located with Pine Rivers Corps for several years, the connection strengthened four years ago when volunteers from the corps started contributing to hampers and other welfare packages for YOS clients, and when YOS developed a community garden on the corps site. Over the past two years this connection has grown and includes volunteers participating in street outreach, Drive for Employment and other YOS programs, sharing donated food between welfare and YOS clients and mutual support. “Recently, we also had a couple of young people from YOS attend the Pine Rivers Corps youth camp and this has proved to strengthen their spiritual walk,” said Sherene. “Over the years other young people known to YOS have also become part of the corps’ youth group.” Majors Rodney and Leonie Ainsworth have also been able to support young people and their families in court and have facilitated getting young people into family counselling with their on-site counsellor. “It is vital for us to be involved with whatever is happening with the young people and YOS and we try to assist in any way we can,” said Major Rodney Ainsworth. “We build strong links with the kids, are sensitive to their situations and can give support for that immediate moment or longer term.”
Long-serving Canberra Advisory Board chairman retires A
celebration lunch was held late last year at The Salvation Army ACT and South NSW Divisional Headquarters to honour John Mackay upon his retirement as chairman of the Canberra Advisory Board. During the past 12 years, Mr Mackay has been an active and generous supporter of The Salvation Army in Canberra through his involvement as a member of the board, the last four years as chairman. At the lunch, attended by all Canberra Advisory Board members as well as two previous chairmen in Jim Service and Arthur Kenyon, Divisional Commander Lieutenant-Colonel Philip Cairns spoke words of appreciation to Mr Mackay on behalf of the Army and presented a gift. In his response, Mr Mackay spoke of his admiration for the work of The Salvation Army and said he considered it an honour to be able to help. Despite his retirement, Mr Mackay said he would continue to help and support the work of the Army in Canberra.
Lieutenant-Colonel Philip Cairns congratulates John Mackay on his work with The Salvation Army.
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