Street Smart Project
Donation protected
The Street Smart Project began in May 2018, in response to growing concerns from the community in regards to alcohol and other drug (AOD) use amonsgt young people and the involvement of Aboriginal young people in the justice system.
Street Smart was developed to;
- divert young Aboriginal people from the justice system
- improve community safety
- reduce the harmful consequences of AOD use and
- reduce incidences of crime and anti-social behaviour.
We achieve this by providing street-based youth engagement, AOD education /information, mentoring, support, pro-social activities and positive role-modelling in public spaces to predominantly Aboriginal young people within the inner city areas of Glebe, Redfern, and Waterloo.
Inside Out Aboriginal Justice Consultancy and Street Industries, partnered to establish and deliver the program model and September 2018 Deadly Connections Community and Justice Services joined this collaborative partnership.
The Street Smart project runs every Saturday night from 4-10pm. Weekly activities have included; barbecues, sports games, trips to Sydney football matches, trampolining and bowling, These activities give young people a chance to have experiences outside of their community where they receive support and guidance from program staff.
Street Smart project engages anywhere from 20-50 kids per night, ranging in ages from 7-17 and we often have 100% Aboriginal kids accessing our program. We operate without the use of the centre and provide the children and young people with food and an alternative to AoD use, crime and anti-social behaviour.
Our program success and effectiveness lies in the street-based context and the culturally competent manner in which we operate. Both Inside Out and Deadly Connections are Aboriginal owned organisations. Respect is the core component of our project. Respect for ourselves, other people, our community and our environment. Our staff/volunteers have strong community connections with existing links to the children, young people, their families and communities. As we operate without the use of a centre, our operational costs are kept to a minimum which means we can divert our resources directly to the children and young - where it is needed the most. The flexible nature of the program also means no one is excluded based on their age (under 12) or problematic behaviours. This model provides us with the flexibility to work with children and young people 'where they are at' both geographically and developmentally. We explore issues with program participants and work on them by providing the children and young people with the tools to make better decisions.
All of these services are being provided by our collaborating agencies on a volunteer basis. The initial funding package that has made these opportunities possible for our young people has now come to an end. While many funding requests have been placed by the Street Smart Project, we are yet to secure funding that will allow us to deliver this important program. Without further funding to cover the ongoing costs of running the project, we are at risk of being unable to provide these vital services for our children and young people. We are also providing support to families outside of the program on a volunteer basis.
For this reason, any contribution, no matter how large or small will be greatly appreciated. Your donation will allow us to continue to provide these services to the children, people and communities who need it the most. The money raised through this campaign will provide us with funds to continue to deliver the program for 12 months.
As Deadly Connections is a Not For Profit organisation with DGR status, your donation is tax deductible.
A short clip of the Street Smart project in action can be found below with a testimony from a participant;
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=10155757813027005
Please see our FB pages for further information;
@deadlyconnections
@streetindustries
@insideoutajc
Street Smart was developed to;
- divert young Aboriginal people from the justice system
- improve community safety
- reduce the harmful consequences of AOD use and
- reduce incidences of crime and anti-social behaviour.
We achieve this by providing street-based youth engagement, AOD education /information, mentoring, support, pro-social activities and positive role-modelling in public spaces to predominantly Aboriginal young people within the inner city areas of Glebe, Redfern, and Waterloo.
Inside Out Aboriginal Justice Consultancy and Street Industries, partnered to establish and deliver the program model and September 2018 Deadly Connections Community and Justice Services joined this collaborative partnership.
The Street Smart project runs every Saturday night from 4-10pm. Weekly activities have included; barbecues, sports games, trips to Sydney football matches, trampolining and bowling, These activities give young people a chance to have experiences outside of their community where they receive support and guidance from program staff.
Street Smart project engages anywhere from 20-50 kids per night, ranging in ages from 7-17 and we often have 100% Aboriginal kids accessing our program. We operate without the use of the centre and provide the children and young people with food and an alternative to AoD use, crime and anti-social behaviour.
Our program success and effectiveness lies in the street-based context and the culturally competent manner in which we operate. Both Inside Out and Deadly Connections are Aboriginal owned organisations. Respect is the core component of our project. Respect for ourselves, other people, our community and our environment. Our staff/volunteers have strong community connections with existing links to the children, young people, their families and communities. As we operate without the use of a centre, our operational costs are kept to a minimum which means we can divert our resources directly to the children and young - where it is needed the most. The flexible nature of the program also means no one is excluded based on their age (under 12) or problematic behaviours. This model provides us with the flexibility to work with children and young people 'where they are at' both geographically and developmentally. We explore issues with program participants and work on them by providing the children and young people with the tools to make better decisions.
All of these services are being provided by our collaborating agencies on a volunteer basis. The initial funding package that has made these opportunities possible for our young people has now come to an end. While many funding requests have been placed by the Street Smart Project, we are yet to secure funding that will allow us to deliver this important program. Without further funding to cover the ongoing costs of running the project, we are at risk of being unable to provide these vital services for our children and young people. We are also providing support to families outside of the program on a volunteer basis.
For this reason, any contribution, no matter how large or small will be greatly appreciated. Your donation will allow us to continue to provide these services to the children, people and communities who need it the most. The money raised through this campaign will provide us with funds to continue to deliver the program for 12 months.
As Deadly Connections is a Not For Profit organisation with DGR status, your donation is tax deductible.
A short clip of the Street Smart project in action can be found below with a testimony from a participant;
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=10155757813027005
Please see our FB pages for further information;
@deadlyconnections
@streetindustries
@insideoutajc
Fundraising team (2)
Carly Stanley
Organizer
Haymarket NSW
Samey Minkara
Team member
