The Surf Dive n Ski Youth Projects - Ready for Work program kicked off last month with its first participant 17 year old Rachel.
 
The Ready for Work Program offers young people participating in programs at The Family Centre the opportunity to work alongside experienced leaders in th Surf Dive n Ski team. The 3-week program will see selected young people learn new skills develop and understanding of how the buiness works and network with the wider Surf Dive n Ski team.
 
Rachel was at the risk of homelessness – and was living in a rural location with no access to transport and little opportunities for work. Working with the Connecting Home team Rachel secured stable housing through the new Rent Choice scheme and was able to have her mum move in with her to a house in town. With access to public transport and secure housing in place Rachel was ready to participate in Surf Dive n Ski Ready for Work.
 
During her 3-week work experience with Surf Dive n Ski Rachel worked in
retail, warehouse and dispatch, Human Resources and spent the day with the CEO Dave Keay. Rachel also had the opportunity to participate in the process of developing the new season catalogue for women’s swimwear.
 
Rachel impressed the team with her willingness to learn, punctuality and her fantastic sales skills and she has now secured casual work at one of their stores.
 
‘Being able to participate in this program has really boosted my confidence, I feel much more job ready and employable. Having hands on work experience has been invaluable’ said Rachel.
 
‘This program helps our staff to see that everyone has a story and that we can provide opportunities for young people who are dealing with challenging situations'’ said Luke - Surf Dive n Ski Youth Projects Manager.

The Family Centre’s Connecting Home program recently had a day out at our newly allocated garden bed at Enid St Community Garden.
 
Youth and Family workers Kym and Jess led a workshop in gardening for participants in our Connecting Home program.
 
Everyone got their green thumbs working – learning new skills. It was great to see all ages participating in the workshop. At the end of the workshop everyone took home their own potted plant.
 
Thank you to Leah and the team at Bunnings South Tweed Heads for donating the plants for our new garden.

In Term 1 and 2 this year The Family Centre delivered our REALskills Super Me program to Year 6 at Condong Public School.
 
Super Me is a 15-week program which aims to increase children’s resilience and safety while also supporting participating teachers to recognise and respond to the emotional needs of their students.
 
REALskills facilitators Stephen and Mariana said the program had a positive impact on each of the children in the class and on the children as a group. The class teacher was very grateful for their attendance in the classroom and wished that the program was run for all 4 school terms. She could see positive changes in the children’s relationships with each other and gained insight to them as individuals.
 
At the end of the program the children wrote to Stephen and Mariana telling them about the skills, insights and knowledge they developed during Super Me.

Our community partner Recycled Mats have engaged local indigenous artist Christine Slabb to design a mat for charity.
 
100% of the profits of this mat are being donated to The Family Centre to assist us with our work supporting local Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal families.

The blue and yellow design features family as the centrepiece, the centre of ones being.
The message and story of the mat is that family relationships and connections provide and uphold strength, honour and respect. These strains of family connection flow deep within our soul, captivated by love. 

"Family is the centre, the centre is our family"

The Family Centre run relationship courses every NSW school term. Next term, one of the courses offered is Conversations for Change. It is a 1 day course that explores steps for handling life’s most difficult and important conversations in valued relationship with partners, family, friends and colleagues. You’ll learn how to prepare for situations and transform anger and hurt feelings into a useful conversation. In this workshop you will learn and practice the skills that can open up a dialogue about the most difficult topics.

Youth and Family Worker – Connecting Home

SCHCaDS Award Level 4
28 hours per week
Northern Rivers

Coordinator REAL-skills (High Schools)

SCHCaDS Award Level 5
28 hours per week
Tweed Shire

Creative Community Skill Share Sessions are back, supported by It Takes a Town and the Early Years Network.

Come along and connect with other people in your community and discover some new skills to enrich your home life and help make ends meet.

The series of workshops are run by locals with a skill, knowledge or craft to share. The sessions include: zentangle mindfulness, nutritious snacks and interpreting food labels, and making our own cleaning products.

Mondays 10am–12pm, August 27–September 24
Murwillumbah Community Centre

Children’s activities and child minding are available. Cuppa and snacks are provided. $5 contribution per family per week.

Places are limited to book please call Paula 0476 837 090