Newsletter Summer 2009
Passages Race Day a Sellout
‘Home is Where the Heart is’
Clients Experience an Adventure of a Lifetime
I am a young man who currently lives in a hostel environment…. I have lived on the streets prior to living in this hostel. Every now and then I spend a night or two on the streets to remind me that I often take for granted what I have. Life on the streets can be tough psychologically and physically. When I return to a comfortable bed I really appreciate it. I recently participated in the ‘Home Is Where the Heart Is’ photography project. This was the second year that the Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia (YACWA) in conjunction with Propel Arts sponsored and ran this project. I was to work alongside a professional photographer and take photographs to tell my story in regards to what home means to me. The photographs were then displayed for a week and sold. The
Earlier this year, the Rotary Club of Perth provided funding for two Passages clients to attend a 12 day trip on the Leeuwin tall ship.
During the 12 days the clients experienced what it was like to work within a productive team environment and to sail the tall ship. One of the clients, Ben, said the experience left him with a sense of pride and accomplishment within himself. Since the Leeuwin tall ship is a smoke, alcohol and drug free environment, Ben was surprised that he didn’t feel like he needed the substances he had been using before. He was even more amazed at how much better he felt when not using drugs.
proceeds were given back to the local youth services, including Passages Resource Centre, who had clients like myself, participate. The photographer who I worked with was Daniel. Daniel was able to teach me about the benefits of depth of field photography and he introduced me to the light metre which allows for the optimum amount of light needed in night photography. We were able to go to some of the places where I enjoy the attribute
to someone sitting, relaxing and meditating on life. It was from here that he guided me to what some of the best shots would be and how to take them. I felt the experience was very valuable. Being able to work alongside an expert and use professional equipment was great. I would like to thank Daniel and Lisa from YACWA, and the entire staff at Passages for giving me this opportunity.
Ben has been asked by the Leeuwin Foundation to attend the Leeuwin tall ship again as a volunteer. This was a huge achievement for him and he is extremely grateful for the opportunity the Rotary Club of Perth has given him.
Supporters and guests were dressed for the occasion when they attended the 2009 Passages Race Day at Belmont Park Racecourse on Saturday 23 May. This year’s event was again sold out with over 240 supporters enjoying a day at the races to raise money for Passages.
Education is the Key
‘Hi my name is Kristy and I’m 18 years old. I have been going to Passages Resource Centre for just over two years. Passages helped me a lot over the time I used the Centre. I have always wanted to become a Vet Nurse and Passages helped me get started
and paid for some of my fees. Passages also helped me receive a computer and printer so I could complete my course and was able to do homework. I never thought I would be able to do the course because I wouldn’t be able to afford a computer, school fees and basic living expenses. I have come a long way since leaving home in 2006 and it’s because of Passages. Thank you to all the staff at Passages’. Tracy has been accessing Passages for the last four years. She has recently acquired a Security License with the assistance of Passages with the cost of course fees. Since getting her license, Tracy has started working as a transit guard.
to become a midwife once she has completed this course. Carly has also taken advantage of the Education Grant and has completed her Certificate III and IV in General Knowledge. She is hoping to get into University in the near future to study Social Work.
A day at the races would not be the same without a punt on the horses and there was plenty of action around the betting totes.
These are examples of the clients who have asked Passages to assist them with an Education Grant. Passages have supported many clients by providing them with practical advice, finances, opening the door to educational options and the provision of computer access.
The Passages Race Day Committee would like to thank the following sponsors Platinum
Samantha has started University and is studying to obtain a Degree in Health Science so she can become a Nurse. She would like
Passages would like to thank all those who attended and supported the Race Day, in particular the Race Day Sponsors who are listed. In addition we would like to acknowledge the support and help of our corporate supporters Linc and Perth Racing.
The Passages Management Committee thanks Scott Print for printing this newsletter. Joint Venture Partners:
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Rotary Club of Perth
We would not have achieved the success we did without the generosity of our sponsors and their guests, our corporate supporters and the myriad of individuals and companies of which there are too many to name individually, that donated items to our auction and raffle.
Founding Partners:
Blue Spec Mining
Gold
Reed Resources Marshall Kusinski Impian Films Westralian Diamond Drillers
Silver
Allens Arthur Robinson St John of God Foundation St Judes Pastoral Company Engenium Nagrom METS Deloitte KOHA Investments Geisel Park Stud Bank of Queensland Lawrence Business Management Doepel Marsh Barcon Logistics The Pindan Group
Passages was the big winner of the day as the final result was significantly better than anticipated with $62,500 raised. This was a tremendous result considering the challenging state of the economy at the time.
ROTPER314516
Passages Resource Centre has an Education Program that can assist young people to attain skills and knowledge to gain a career or work towards gaining entry into University. Over the past year Passages has assisted numerous young people to obtain educational options such as enrolling in and completing Certificates in General Knowledge, entry into University, Fork Lift Tickets, First Aid Certificates and Security Licenses. Passages helped Kristy in acquiring a qualification as a Veterinary Nurse. She wrote the following article:
There was plenty of interest in the auctions and raffles, and all but a handful of items were snapped up at the silent auction which was by far the biggest auction ever held at our annual Race Day. Keen bidding was made on items such as vintage bottles of Grange, an antique diamond ring, a Moonlight Lady cruise, a Bruce Springsteen signed Fender guitar and even a gold nugget.
As announced in the Autumn Newsletter, Blue Spec Mining and Westralian Diamond Drillers have already signed up as dual Platinum Sponsors for the 2010 Passages Race Day which will be held on 22 May 2010. We expect next year to once again be a sell out, so mark your diaries, or better yet reserve your table now. See you there!
The Military and Hospitaller Order of St Lazarus Jerusalem
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PASSAGES Summer NEWSLETTER 2009
PASSAGES Summer NEWSLETTER 2009
How Passages Resource Centre has Positively Impacted my Life
Chairman’s Address The recent newspaper articles on youth homelessness, drug usage statistics and lack of facilities for people with mental health issues, reinforces the need for services such as those we provide at Passages. The disappointing factors are cut backs by State Government and mental health facilities in our state
An Update on Services at Passages
which is reported as the wealthiest and fastest growing in Australia. Our service receives government support for accommodation for some of our clients, Hi, my name is Leah and I am 23 years old. I have been accessing Passages for approximately 18 months now. Today I am going to share with you how Passages has made a difference in my life.
but no funds are available for our day to day operations costing some $25,000 a month and funded by the Rotary Club of Perth through corporate and individual support. We urge our supporters to consider making a financial contribution this financial year prior to the 30 June 2010. I feel you will get an insight into our current services through articles and statistics in this newsletter, however I am always keen on quoting statistics and am delighted in our performance to date.
visited the Centre some 42,213 times. The Centre has made 12,397 referrals to other agencies, and the services provided by the Centre have been used 61,100 times up to the 30 June 2009. In closing I would like to welcome Yvonne Pallier who has come on board as the new Manager for Vincentcare and thank the retiring Manager Ann Garrity for her support on our Advisory Committee since 2000. I also wish to thank retiring CEO Alan Jennings for his valuable involvement in Passages since its first meeting at Camillus House in East Perth on 18 August 1998. I wish to also acknowledge the contribution made by the Advisory Committee, Passages Manager Danielle Tilbrook and her staff and in particular you our Supporters for your ongoing dedication to Passages Resource Centre. I wish you all the best for the festive season.
Passages made me feel safe and I wasn’t scared about asking for their help anymore.
David J Reed Chairman Management Committee
Demand for Passages is Still Strong
I won’t deny that that first day and many days since I started going to Passages, I have been in a bad way and have needed a lot of support. I always thought that it was going to be too hard to fix things but with the help of all the staff at Passages I started to make positive changes. I won’t say it was easy sailing but Passages staff were always there empowering me to do what I needed to do, to better the situation that was in front of me. The staff were always helpful and what blew me away about the staff was that even when I stopped believing in myself they were there still believing in me and my abilities to change. They didn’t tell me I had to change, I made the choice to change.
Total number of client visits 1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Male
327
404
2,793
1,809
3,794
2,888
1,920
2,618
2,178
1,841
2,431
Female
173
296
971
838
1,626
2,469
1,921
1,494
1,521
1,548
1,901
Total
500
700
3,764
2,647
5,420
5,357
3,841
4,112
3,699
3,389
4,332
Passages Resource Centre has experienced a busy 2009 with many of Perth’s homeless youth accessing this important service. With figures only available up to June 2009, there were already 594 individuals who had visited the service. These 594 youth visited the Centre 2,174 times and used the Centre based services 5,033 times. The statistics show that the most common age groups that visited the service during this six month period were 22 – 25 year olds (41%). Those who access Passages are offered unconditional and non-judgemental hospitality within a safe environment as well as access to laundry, kitchen and bathroom facilities, free use of computer, telephone and mail services, information workshops by
key specialist agencies, informal counselling and an opportunity to be heard. As the needs of street present youth escalate and become more complex, Passages provides support with difficulties resulting from homelessness, poverty, family breakdown, abuse and mental illness. The Centre is an avenue to promote a sense of belonging and self worth and opportunities to develop social and life skills. Passages continues to advocate for street present youth and provides referrals to appropriate specialist agencies.
When I told my worker that I wasn’t happy and that I wanted to change, she and the rest of the staff were all behind me encouraging me to make a difference. I slowly started to become more and more confident in what was happening in my life and the changes I was making. Not only did Passages provide me with assistance to deal with the issues I was going through, there were so many practical ways they helped. For example when I had no fixed address, I knew I could always rely on going to Passages to have a shower and get changed and wash my clothes just to make me feel that little better and less like people were judging me.
services to Perth’s most marginalised and disadvantaged young people, some as young as 12 years of age. Since opening its doors in 1998, Passages has seen 12,028 individuals and continues to provide this vital service thanks to the generosity of the West Australian community. Passages continues to offer friendly, non-judgmental hospitality providing an environment that encourages trusting relationships and facilitates open dialogue with young people.
Passages is located at Bendat House, 22 Palmerston Street, Northbridge and is ideally situated to engage with and provide
Passages is a great facility as it allows young people to go there and not be ashamed or
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Tuesday
Wednesday
Street Doctor
Drug and Alcohol Youth Service (DAYS)
WA Substance Users Association (WASUA)
Centrelink
Passages Healthy Cooking Program
Providing support where needed Street Doctor • Staffed by a doctor, nurse and outreach worker • Bulk billed medical treatment on site • Blood tests, immunisation, pregnancy testing • Referrals to other services
embarrassed about the situation they are in. When I realised this, I realised I could be myself and I did not have to pretend to be anyone else. I knew no matter what was going on for me I did not need to be embarrassed or feel shame because whatever it was I knew that I was in a safe supportive environment as soon as I walked in that door. Not only does Passages offer all this, they give you a break from the hustle and bustle of life to just relax and have fun. On Thursdays they have a recreation program. The activities vary from one week to the next. It doesn’t matter what we are doing, even if we’re just playing soccer in the park, you know you can give it a go because you have workers there with you and you know they will always give you a lot of encouragement so no one feels left out and alone. It’s really hard when you’re young, you don’t really have the money to spend it on outings, but whilst I have been to Passages they have done some awesome activities. My favourite would have to be the day that we went to the Perth Zoo. That is something I would never have experienced without Passages. We spent a whole afternoon there filled with fun, there was no thinking about what was going on outside you just got to be young and free. Just recently we went to the movies and saw a new release. That is something I don’t think I have ever done, other than with Passages. The fun aspect for me was a big issue as I was having a hard time and wasn’t taking any time to enjoy life and life was just passing me by. But at Passages I felt I did not have to pretend because I was having a good time. Since coming to Passages my confidence has gone up and I finally feel good about myself. Even on bad days when things aren’t 100% I still
Mobile Mind Care • Staffed by a qualified psychologist • Referrals through Street Doctor • Clients can access up to 12 free counselling sessions
have the confidence to deal with anything. Passages helped me to realise I did not need to hide away and that there was a world full of choices and changes out there for me. After a fair bit of workers support I realised I did not have to be afraid, that I could be confident in my own skin. I realised that there was no one else in the world that was exactly like me and I was special.
I really want to thank Passages for their support and for empowering me to “be the me I want to be.”
Thursday
Centrelink Step One Allens Arthur Robinson
Youthlink
people wanting to enter Mission Australia’s rehabilitation program • Information and referrals to other drug and alcohol services Healthy Cooking Program • Young people have the opportunity to learn to cook a healthy recipe of their choice
Centrelink • Two staff from the Community Team attend
WA Substance Users Association (WASUA) • Once a fortnight • Qualified nurse available to do testing for STI’s and blood borne viruses • Information and informal counselling around drug use and safe injecting practices
Drug and Alcohol Youth Service (DAYS) • Informal drug and alcohol counselling • Assessments on site for young
Youthlink • A counselling service which works with young people with mental health issues
Spreading Some Festive Cheer
As the Christmas season rapidly approaches, so do the plans for Passages Christmas functions. We are counting down to the annual Christmas lunch held at Passages for clients which is a particularly special event for them.
The biggest thing Passages has done for me is to show me that even when I stopped believing in myself they were still there believing in me. I really want to thank Passages for their support and for empowering me to “be the me I want to be.”
Friday
Passages Workshop
Mobile Mind care
I had heard a lot of good reports about Passages when I was in a bad way and I thought there was nowhere out there that was going to be able to help me. I was so scared that if I went to Passages I would be judged for the situations that were making things hard for me. But as soon as I walked through the door, I found that was not the case. I was welcomed in and shown around and felt really comfortable with the surroundings. Passages made me feel safe and I wasn’t scared about asking for their help anymore. I slowly started going to Passages more and more. I found it to be such a supportive environment. I was so embarrassed that I needed help but the staff at Passages helped me to see it takes a bigger person to stand up and say I need help.
Since opening in 1998, Bendat House has made a difference to some 12,028 individuals who have
Monday
Passages starts the Christmas luncheon by decorating the service and setting up the Passages Christmas tree, ready for when we first open. Decorating for Christmas is something
our clients very rarely get to experience and allows them to get into the Christmas spirit. Then the young people who would like to learn how to cook a traditional Christmas lunch have the opportunity to do so with staff assistance. The clients also get involved in setting out the lunch table, wearing party hats and enjoying Christmas crackers and punch.
Passages BBQ
• A counsellor attends to engage with clients who may benefit from Youthlink’s services Passages Workshop • Facilitated by Passages staff and other relevant services • Education, craft, recreation or sport Step One • A youth outreach service which is a part of Anglicare WA Allens Arthur Robinson • Two lawyers attend Passages to provide free, informal and confidential legal advice to clients in need
from other services to attend Passages in a relaxed, inviting environment. Everyone gets to sample all the delicious Christmas food including roast turkey, pork and lamb, leg of ham, roasted vegetables and salads. For dessert we serve fruit salad, pavlova, ice-cream, Christmas pudding and custard. This upcoming event gives the clients something to look forward to this Christmas.
The luncheon attracts many clients and staff
Street Doctor Visits Weekly
Before I finish I would really like to say something about the support given to Passages by the Rotary Club of Perth. All these things I have mentioned would not have been possible without the generous and ongoing support of Rotary. You may not realise this but if it was not for your ongoing support a lot of young people would have nowhere to go. I would like to say thank you but thank you does not seem enough. How do you put into words that by helping Passages you are helping to better a lot of young people’s lives through the Resource Centre? So a really big thank you! One thing I would like to say is that without your support to Passages I wouldn’t be where I am today.
The Street Doctor is an accredited General Practice service that has been successfully operating since 2001 and is run by Perth Primary Care Network. Street Doctor is a mobile, easily accessible, confidential, nonjudgmental and non-discriminatory bulk billing primary health care service. This service employs a multidisciplinary team of General Practitioners, Registered Nurses and Outreach Workers. The aim of the Street Doctor is to improve health outcomes and reduce hospitalisation for disadvantaged people of all ages.
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Street Doctor attends several different sites around Central Perth and the Eastern Suburbs. The service attends sites that will provide homeless and disadvantaged populations with access to primary health care because access to conventional general practice may not be a possibility for a number of reasons. Most functions of a typical General Practice are carried out on the Street Doctor including ECG, spirometery, PAP smears, suturing, with emphasis on vaccination, BBV testing and counselling. Street Doctor attends Passages every Monday from 9am – 3pm.
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