Resilient Kids offcially opens its Northern Rivers hubs

Resilient Kids, a new program supporting the health and wellbeing of young people postfoods, has offcially launched all of its Northern Rivers’ hubs, including bases in Casino, Lismore and Kyogle.

The not-for-proft organisation Social Futures is running the hubs, which support youth aged eight to 18 years and their families.

At the hubs, oneon-one counselling is available for young people and their families (including parents and siblings). There will also be a range of after-school fun and free social and emotional wellbeing activities for young people, where they have a chance to make new friends.

The Lismore hub opening was held on Thursday, February 29 and featured a drum circle, giving community members a chance to test their rhythm.

The Kyogle launch was held on Tuesday,

February 20, and the Casino launch was on Wednesday, February 21. Guests had a chance to make and munch sweetheart cookies and learn about the Resilient Kids program – and the array of youth-centred supports it offers. Term 1 after schoolactivities include:

Casino Crumbs! Cookie Club Wednesdays 3.30 – 5pm

CASPA Services, 104 Centre St, Casino NSW 2470

BUREAUCRACY BUNGLING BROADWATER SCHOOL CHILDREN’S FUTURE

Families in the lower Richmond Valley have waited long enough for the 2022 food-damaged Broadwater Public School to be rebuilt and it’s time for the NSW Labor Government to intervene, Clarence Nationals MP Richie Williamson has declared.

“It has been two years already! The bureaucracy continues to fumble this simple but vital project, so I have contacted the Minister for Education, Ms Prue Car, and asked her to intervene,” Mr Williamson said.

“The project could be completed in just eight weeks because it’s a pre-fabricated build that I’m told is almost fnished, but School Infrastructure NSW has instead lodged a development application with Richmond Valley Council, a step that is not required for crucial NSW public infrastructure.”

Mr Williamson said schools, hospitals, ambulance stations, police stations are entirely exempt from local government development application approval processes.

“I have asked the Government to override the bureaucracy and withdraw the DA from Council and get cracking on the rebuild so we can get our kids back to their school,” Mr Williamson said.

“Lower Richmond Valley parents, community, teachers and most importantly the students are ready to return to their own classrooms, and I want to see that happen as a matter of urgency.

“I encourage parents who support this initiative to email me at clarence@ parliament.nsw.ogv.au so I can stress the importance of this issue to the Minister in Sydney,” Mr Williamson concluded.

Secretary of the Broadwater Public School P & C Association, Emma Crethar said the current abandoned and overgrown school ground is the frst thing you see as you enter town and serves as a constant reminder of the devastation caused by the February 2022 foods.

“We were told at the frst community consultation meeting that the maximum time we’d be out of our school would be two years,” Ms Crethar said.

“We are now at the second anniversary of the foods and still to have no government approvals in place or a frm commencement date. It’s a real slap in the face.

“We are now prioritising our children’s wellbeing and education and pushing for the rebuild of Broadwater Public School to commence as soon as possible.

“Any bureaucracy that’s hindering the process needs to be addressed immediately as our kids have suffered long enough.”

Coraki River Rhythms and Art Group Tuesdays 3.30-5pm

Kurrachee Building, Yabsley Street, Coraki

Kyogle Peas in a Pod Study Group and Crafting Tuesdays 3.30-5pm

Lane Way Community Space, 161 Summerland Way, Kyogle

Lismore Think Connect Move Feel Thursdays (fortnightly) 3.30-5pm

Koori Mail building, 11 Molesworth St, Lismore

Social Futures CEO, Tony Davies, said Social Futures has been part of the food recovery from the beginning, and he was aware that many young people were still doing it tough.

“It is vital that the care services offered by Resilient Kids are in place to support young people to build their resilience,” Mr Davies said.

“Even adults are struggling to navigate this new world and that’s why I’m so proud Social Futures is delivering the Resilient Kids program. It will provide much needed supports to the children and teens.”

The Resilient Kids Program is funded by Healthy North Coast through a grant provided by the Australian Government.

More information about the Resilient Kids program can be found at https://socialfutures.org. au/resilient-kids/