Solved Solutions: Recent

Ties For Lives - Spotting early signs of youth mental health problems

Fri, 28 Sep 2012 13:05:17 +1000

The Problem

Assist with breaking down the stigmas and prejudices that surround youth mental health and more specifically help reduce the incidences and effects of homelessness, self-harm and suicide through early intervention.

The Solution

Ties For Lives - Fold-it Fridays. Every Friday during November, Anyone, Anywhere...young people...men and women from all walks of life join forces to display and share our BOLD Fold-it* symbol. Fold-its will get people talking about the single biggest health issue facing young Australians – Youth Mental Health.

In the days leading up to Fold-it Fridays people register at www.TiesForLives.org.au and download a few Fold-its or wallpapers, create a personalised awareness and fundraising page while gathering information to share. With a bit of fancy finger work we transform a spotty piece of paper into a fashion icon and by sharing the Fold-its with others it will get people talking. You’ll of course be given some ideas of how to get the best out of your Fold-its plus you’ll have permission to get a bit fashion crazy on Fridays by wearing your favourite spotty or BOLD attire, ties, bows and accessories. *Fold-it: Our National Symbol For Youth Mental Health Awareness and Support

UN Youth Rep: The Listening Tour

Thu, 26 Jul 2012 20:58:53 +1000

The Problem

It's much easier to articulate problems we face in our world - so we're interested in your solutions and visions!

The Solution

Dan Ryan, the 2012 UN Australian Youth Representative is travelling around the country, listening to your solutions and visions and in September will represent Australian Youth at the United Nations General Assembly (New York). So he wants to know - what projects are helping solve your problems? We can learn from each other by sharing solutions in action in our community, school or Uni.

More information: www.unyouthrep.com/solved/

Djarragun Enterprises Limited

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 11:54:19 +1000

The Problem

One of the greatest challenges facing indigenous educators is enabling students to transition successfully from school to work. Many of them complete year 12 with skills and competencies – but lack experience in the work force, good work habits, and the social skills and confidence that is needed to succeed in today’s work force.
They often experience conflicting pressures of welfare dependency and often don’t have the role models or the subtle conditioning and preparation for a life in the workforce that happens with many young people in mainstream society. In many cases their families don’t have work related networks or the confidence and experience to encourage and push them to get jobs or to encourage them to succeed in the workplace
Djarragun Enterprises has been established to change this situation. They are given an opportunity to have future based on their own efforts rather than relying on welfare.

The Solution

Djarragun Enterprises Limited is a non for profit business that provides an industry-based employment pathway for young indigenous people from around Far North Queensland.
We operate as a ‘social enterprise’ and the indigenous crew members who work in our enterprises all earn award wages with profits reinvested to both help grow the business and provide support for future skilled workers. We currently operate three enterprises: Construction, Building Services and Landscaping & Yard Maintenance.
Djarragun Enterprises aims to give all our crew member a “real life” work environment with the ultimate goal of securing trade apprenticeship and full time employment when they are confident to move on. Supporting the participants in this pathway is vital and we do this a number of ways; including mentoring, personal development, financial guidance and exposure to other community based organizations. We do this without government funding and rely upon our commercial business to be sustainable.

Youth Leadership Development Program

Wed, 13 Jun 2012 18:50:20 +1000

The Problem

• To develop a Leadership Program that equips participants with the capacity to engage in the development process, and in doing so alter the lives of over 100 Vietneames children in living in poverty;
• To expand the Global Educational Partnership between Fairhills High School and World Vision to other Victorian schools;
• To facilitate an Overseas Immersion Program in Northern Vietnam, as well as a contextual exploration of Global Citizenship, Poverty, Human Rights, Environment and Culture & History;
• To provide a forum for the interaction between participants as well as business mentors, partners, and supporters;
• To foster the diffusion of knowledge amongst youth and the wider community about the achievements of members;
• To foster the professional skills of the participants, and in doing so develop Victoria’s future business and community leaders;

Big Air School is a self funded, national touring youth engagement program which delivers action sports clinics and competitions to regional, remote and disadvantaged communities.

The program is fully insured and comes fully equipped with spare helmets, bikes and scooters - as well as first aid attendants. However the real value comes from the participant's opportunity to meet with and learn from Australia's highest profile action sports athletes.

Community organisations are invited to leverage from the Big Air School events as a fundraising opportunity and the events are often treated as entire community get-togethers.

The events are supported by a contemporary DJ and there are always plenty of giveaways for the participants.

More information: www.bigairschool.com.au