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Youth ConneXions
Youth ConneXions is Council's youth information, support and referral centre based at Centro Box Hill Shopping Centre. The centre offers a comfortable and supportive environment for young people to find information and seek assistance on a range of issues. Services are free and include:
- Computer and internet use
- Access to telephone, fax and photocopier
- Assistance with employment, resume writing and education options
- Accommodation options
- Recreational opportunities
- Use of Table Tennis and Pool table
- Personal support and counselling options
- Information and advice on youth issues
- Referrals to a range of services including health and wellbeing, drug and alcohol workers, legal and financial support
Youth ConneXions is open from 1pm-5pm each weekday. No appointment necessary, young people can just drop in. For more information, phone Youth ConneXions on 9898 9340 or email youth.worker@whitehorse.vic.gov.au
Young Person of the Month Award
Do you know a young person that lives, works or goes to school in Whitehorse who has excelled at what they do or made a wonderful contribution to the community?
Council’s Young Person of the Month Award celebrates the efforts and achievements of young people that have shone in fields such as arts, culture, sport, music, learning, music, drama or community participation.
Local schools, universities, community groups and individuals are encouraged to nominate a young person that they think has achieved in one of the above categories.
Winners of the Young Person of the Month Award will feature in a story published in Council’s monthly newspaper the Whitehorse News.
The Whitehorse Young Citizen of the Year for 2012 will be selected from the monthly winners and announced on Australia Day 2013.
Nominees in 2012 must be younger than 27 years of age on 26 January 2013.
If you would like to nominate someone, please download the 
Young Person of the Month Award Nomination Form (64.00kB).
For more information, call Council's Team Leader Governance on 9262 6337 or Youth Services Coordinator on 9262 6383
Whitehorse Youth Representative Committee (WYRC)
The WYRC was established in 2001 and is designed to give the young people in the City of Whitehorse an active voice in their community. The WYRC allows for consultation, advocacy and development of activities which are tailored for young people, developed by young people.
It is also a way for Council to have a better understanding of the needs of young people. The WYRC and its members are highly valued by council. It is seen as an invaluable tool for bridging the gap between young people and local government.
Training
The members of WYRC are given an opportunity to further develop their skills in areas such as leadership, event management, public speaking and community participation through training, team building days and all aspects of program design.
WYRC Goal Statement
To represent the interests of young people in the City of Whitehorse through active membership in the WYRC and ongoing development of leadership/ event management skills.
How Do Young People Get Involved in the WYRC?
Interviews for positions within the committee will be held from early January through to early March. Young people who are interested can contact Jacqueline Piper on 9898 9340 or jacqueline.piper@whitehorse.vic.gov.au to arrange an interview time.
It is expected that WYRC members will:
- Commit to a year on the WYRC committee and the fortnightly meetings
- Participate in consultations
- Be an active committee member
- Respect others in the committee
- Challenge yourself and be willing to develop and learn new skills
- Be an enthusiastic and reliable committee member
- Contact worker if experiencing difficulties or have any concerns so that discussions can take place outside of committee meeting times
- Have passion and enthusiasm for being involved in local community
- Participate in reviews regarding input and development on the committee
- Enjoy yourself and have fun!
WYRC position specific responsibilities include:
- Minimum of 80% attendance at fortnightly WYRC meetings
- Contribute to meetings including discussions, rotating minute taker and chair person
- Respect other committee members’ opinions
- Develop knowledge of services and activities available to young people
- Participation in training and development of skills
- Involvement in the key events developed by the WYRC (including Youth Week, annual forum and presentation to Council)
- Communicate with others in the committee and respond to emails
- Participate in community and local government consultations
- Set goals and identify personal development areas
Whitehorse Youth Issues Network
The Whitehorse Youth Issues Network is a chance for professionals in the area to come together and network with other services and programs.
Meetings are held bi-monthly on the second Wednesday of the month at Youth ConneXions (Suite 2, Level 1, Box Hill Centro South, Box Hill 3128) from 10.30 to 12pm. At each meeting a guest speaker presents on a service or program that may benefit young people within Whitehorse
Alongside the bi-monthly meetings, there is also an email distribution list. This allows services to pass on information to other Youth Issues Network members. To become a part of the email list please give Jules a call at Youth ConneXions on 9898 9340 or email jules.piccinin@whitehorse.vic.gov.au
Dates for 2012 meetings are:
-Wednesday 15th February
-Thursday 12th April
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Friday 15th June
-
Monday 13th August
-
Tuesday 16th October
-
Wednesday 12th December
The Youth Issues Network also has a pool of funding available to be accessed by members. Programs are funded up to a maximum of $1500 and application forms are available from Jules on 9898 9340. To be eligible for the funding your submission must meet the following criteria:
- The project/program will aim to be an initiative that aims to address unmet needs of young people/services.
- The project/program should aim to improve or enhance the lives of young people in the City of Whitehorse.
- Applicants must be a member of the YIN.
- Preference is given to joint projects/programs.
- Projects/programs should maximize resources by funding projects/programs or services that do not duplicate or overlap with existing services.
- Wages of YIN member agencies are not funded by the Grant Funding Program; however, funding is available for consultants/sessional trainers where those skills cannot be accessed within the network member agencies.
For any further information on the funding available to become a member of the Youth Issues Network please call Jules at Youth ConneXions on 9898 9340.
Youth Issues Network Funding Application Form 2010.pdf (70.84kB)
Whitehorse School Focused Youth Service
Whitehorse School Focused Youth Service (SFYS) currently has brokerage funds available for schools and community agencies working in partnership to run school-based programs in 2011. Schools and community agencies are invited to apply for funding to implement programs which meet identified needs of young people between 10 and 18 years of age.
The SFYS Coordinator can provide assistance with identifying partnerships, planning programs and completing the application form.
For further information, please contact:
Kodie Webb
Whitehorse SFYS Coordinator
Whitehorse Civic Centre
379-397 Whitehorse Rd
Nunawading VIC 3131
Phone: 9262 6374
Mobile: 0407 157 909
Email: kodie.webb@whitehorse.vic.gov.au
SFYS Outcome Tipsheet.pdf (52.96kB)
SFYS Guide to Applying for Brokerage 2011 (50.18kB)
SFYS Brokerage Application Form (154.06kB)
Whitehorse Multicultural Homework Support Program (Cruzin’ Study)
Cruzin’ Study is a free service offered by the City of Whitehorse in conjunction with the Whitehorse Manningham Regional Library Corporation and Youth Connexions at Box Hill, aims to assist students who may be having difficulty with their school work, particularly those from a migrant or refugee background. The program provides students access to:
- Professional tutors able to assist students from Year 7 to 12 in subjects such as English, Maths, Sciences, ESL and many other areas
- Computers for research and writing and researching assignments
- Free printing and photocopying
All of these resources are provided free of charge.
The program runs every Thursday afternoon during school terms, from 4.30 to 6.30pm at the Box Hill Library, 1040 Whitehorse Road, Box Hill.
We have available translated parent enrolment forms various languages which can be obtained by contacting Jacqueline Piper on 9898 9340 or email jacqueline.piper@whitehorse.vic.gov.au
Homework Program Parent Enrolment Letter.pdf (87.01kB)
Homework Program Student Contact Details.pdf (25.67kB)
Girls with Attitude Program
Girls with Attitude is an four-week self-discovery program for young women aged 13–17 years. Run in partnership with Eastern Access Community Health (EACH) and Council, Girls with Attitude provides young women with an opportunity to look at and evaluate who they are and want to be. They will also learn a range of skills and strategies to help them make the most of all opportunities.
Topics covered include:
- Understanding feelings
- Assertiveness
- Getting past anger
- Balancing your life
- Dealing with stress
- Self esteem and confidence
The program encourages young women to be ‘Girls with Attitude’ – girls with the knowledge of who they are, confident, strong healthy beliefs, able to deal with the challenges of life and stand up for themselves and have skills to succeed.
Girls with Attitude will be running in Term 1 in 2012.
The program begins on Thursday 8th March 2012 and ends on Thursday 29th March 2012 every Thursday from 9am-2pm (breakfast is provided).
Location: Youth ConneXions, Suite 2, Level 1, Box Hill Centro, Box Hill South VIC 3128
What do past participants think about Girls with Attitude?
“No lectures, heaps of new ideas and a great group of girls.”
“Thank you for everything, it has been really fun.”
“Really good, it was easy for me to talk and I felt understood.”
“It was really good, definitely give it a go.”
For further information on Girls With Attitude, contact Jacqueline Piper on 9898 9340 or email jacqueline.piper@whitehorse.vic.gov.au
Girls With Attitude Community Agencies Letter.pdf (99.89kB)
Girls With Attitude Letter to Parents.pdf (88.21kB)
Girls With Attitude Participation Agreement.pdf (106.64kB)
Girls With Attitude Referral Process.pdf (129.55kB)