Surf Dive n Ski are jumping on board with the ‘Ready to Work Program’ as part of their Youth Projects initiative. The Ready for Work Program offers young people participating in programs at The Family Centre the opportunity to work alongside experienced leaders in the Surf Dive n Ski team. The 3-week program will see selected young people learn new skills, develop an understanding of how the business works and network with a variety of mentors.

Ready for Work participants will gain skills and experience in the retail industry that will give them a step up to future employment. At the end of the program the young person will have a new resume and a certificate to recognise the competency based training they have completed. Ready for Work kicks off in early May.

Since 1917 Commonwealth Bank employees have been supporting their local communities through one of Australia’s largest and longest running employee giving programs – Always Giving. The Kingscliff Branch of the Commonwealth Bank has nominated The Family Centre to be the recipient of a $10,000 grant this year. The grant will make a difference to our local area and will be used to deliver the Respectful Relationships Program in local high schools. The program works with students to explore and learn the skills that underpin respectful, positive and caring relationships. Thank you to the Michael, Brian, Jayne and the staff at Kingscliff Commonwealth Bank.

For the past 18 months The Family Centre has been supported by Kingscliff Beach Bowls Club and their Saturday Night Community Raffles. Up to 6 times a year on a nominated Saturday, our volunteers sell raffle tickets for meat trays and gift vouchers. All profits raised go directly to The Family Centre programs delivered in our community. To date the raffles have raised $1500. Thank you to Phil and the Board at Kingscliff Beach Bowls Club for supporting The Family Centre.

Community raffles are run each Saturday at Kingscliff Beach Bowls Club. Tickets on sale from 5pm and drawn at 7pm.

School camp is a fantastic opportunity for children to develop new skills, friendships, interests and experiences. However, many children don’t have the opportunity to attend school camp, as their families are unable to afford for them to go.

The Family Centre has been working with a family who has a 10 year-old child. The child was very upset when they found out their class was attending camp at Mount Tambourine as the parents were not able to afford the camp fee of $320. 

Step in Quota Club of Alstonville/Wollongbar… The Family Centre contacted Quota to see how they could help out the family with the camp fees. Quota paid the fee in full, creating a life changing opportunity for the child and relieving the financial pressure on the family.

The child made a photo book of all their experiences at camp (their favourite activity was the high ropes) to present to Quota as a thank you.

This story is very common in our community, with many families under financial strain trying to pay basic living expenses, leaving no extra money for school camps, excursions and sporting activities.

The Family Centre has set up the ‘Creating Opportunity Fund’, which relies on donations from supporters and the community through fundraising. The program funds are used to assist families participating in our programs with the costs of school uniforms, school excursions, remedial tutoring, musical tuition and instruments, books, computer equipment, sports club fees and uniforms, travel and accommodation to events etc. 

If you would like to find out about supporting the Creating Opportunities Fund with a donation contact us at [email protected] or (07) 5524 8711

Since our establishment 30 years ago we have had 4 name changes…

·       Tweed Family Support

·       Tweed Valley Child,Youth and Family Service

·       The Family Centre Community Projects Inc.

·        We are now known as The Family Centre in the Tweed, Ballina and Byron Shires.

April 13–April 29, 9am–4pm

Cherry Street Bowls Ballina are proud supporters of The Family Centre. During the school holidays they are setting up a winter wonderland with iceskating and lots of fun stuff for the whole family.

On Thursday April 19 and Thursday April 26 from 11am–3pm, The Family Centre will be joining in the winter fun with craft activities and information about our services.

Cherry Street Bowls recommend you book your ice skating session prior to the day at their main reception or call (02) 6686 2811.

Friday April 27
Missingham Park, Ballina
FREE EVENT

Go Skatingboarding 10am–2pm

Skateboarding Clinics, demos, games, sausage sizzle and giveaways.

Hip Hop Jam Session 12pm–3pm

Australian reknowned MC's Emph's & Treats will feature freestyle with local youth freestying and jamming.

Come along and skate, MC or just chill and be part of this epic day.

FREE Transport available to the event - contact YAXI 0404465109

Join us at our next Information Session

Thursday May 3, 2018
10am–12pm
The Family Centre, Unit 1/14 Amber Road Tweed Heads South

Get to know The Family Centre and find out about what we can do together to make change achievable

We’ll talk about:
•  what we want for our community, our values, role, strategic directions and practice  
   principles
•  the ways we work together with children, young people, families, schools and communities

EVERYONE IS WELCOME

parents or carers 
young people
community members 
service partners
students
volunteers, or you might be thinking of volunteering with us

Child minding is available please indicate if you need it when you RSVP