OPPORTUNITY PATHWAYS
Evolve Housing has been delivering the Opportunity
assistance for job-related costs such as transport,
Pathways program in the South Western Sydney and
licences and work attire.
Nepean Blue Mountains regions since March 2019. While every participant has a unique situation, The program, funded by the Department of
financial assistance has most often been provided in
Communities and Justice, aims to support social
relation to transport costs (fuel and/or opal card funds),
housing clients to access training and work
enrolment into training courses, and help getting
opportunities, with the ultimate goal of securing
online with a laptop.
permanent employment and potentially moving into private market housing.
The program has been so popular that it is currently over capacity, and the team recently hired a new
The program is free and voluntary for people aged
member. This brings the total number of staff to 8:
17 years and over who are:
• 4 Case Coordinators for the South Western
• Living in public, community or Aboriginal community housing, or • Receiving a Rent Choice subsidy, or
Sydney region • 2 for the Nepean Blue Mountains region, and • 2 intake officers.
• An approved social housing applicant on the NSW Housing Register.
“I am very passionate about the Opportunity Pathways program, it has had a huge impact on the participants
Evolve Housing delivers the program as part of
in being able to change their lives and knowing that
a consortium including MAX Solutions, Olympus
this program can really assist them in achieving their
Solutions/Ability Options (employment partners),
dreams and goals,” said Kathy Parry, Team Leader for
Macquarie Community College (education and training
Opportunity Pathways.
partners) and Relationships Australia NSW. Over the past financial year, 521 people were referred Participants can join the program by signing up
to us as potential candidates for the Opportunity
directly or by being referred by a service provider.
Pathways program, with 219 of these proceeding to enrol. So far, 69 program participants have secured
People who express interest in the program undergo
employment, including seven people who identify
an intake assessment to ensure that they are eligible,
as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
understand what the program involves, and are ready to look for work. Once admitted into the program,
In addition, 88 participants have been enrolled into
participants are paired with a Case Coordinator who
training or education courses in a diverse range of
works with them to create a Training, Employment and
fields including Responsible Service of Alcohol, traffic
Housing Plan that is tailored to their needs, goals and
control, first aid, hospitality, business, retail, disability
aspirations. The program can also provide financial
support and more. | 47
