It's hard to believe how quickly the months pass and how much happens in four short weeks. Nippy June was no exception.
Eight students completed their Flannery-Foundation funded Hospitality and Event Management Course, culminating in a June celebration and graduation ceremony. As part of their TAFE course requirements, all students completed 40 hours of work placement in hospitality businesses around Byron Shire, with several of the graduates moving into apprenticeships afterward. Big thanks to youth worker Chad Kolcze for supporting students through the 12 week course, and we offer to each student a wish for a very successful next-stage of their journey.
BYS lost a valued member of staff this month when Lotte Boer moved to Tweed Family Centre to take up the responsibility of Volunteer Coordinator. We wish Lotte much success in her career path.
Her position is now filled by Berri Drum, youth worker, Flea Coordinator, and Volunteer and Student supervisor. Karim Kaufman has taken up the position of Boys' Group Youth Worker at BYS. Karim will engage a group of students from Byron Bay High School through activities, life skills training, food and fun!
Welcome Berri and Karim, to the BYS team!
Our June monthly Byron Flea Market saw a new accent on crafts and activities. Young people participated in bubble soccer and skateboarding and local community members offered their skills in pottery, jewellery making and more. BYS also launched our inaugural Bingo! family event, with Alana Sheldon and Zoe Elliott putting in a remarkable effort to get the whole thing up and running in a week! They did a wonderful job organising, promoting and engaging with participants. Thanks to them and to local businesses who donated gifts for prizes. This is an event we have in our scope to run as a monthly family activity in the near future, so keep an eye out in local papers for your free Bingo card, coming soon...
Many thanks to the young people from Mullumbimby Cottage who have raised $860 this month through a raffle run by a Year 10 girls group and through contributions to the lunchtime healthy, active living program.
Our regular services ought be mentioned too, such Street Cruise, Barista and Safer Driver Learning Courses. BYS senior youth workers, Deb Pearse and Rosalie Bryant continued to engage students at Mullumbimby and Byron Bay High Schools and so fulfil BYS vision that young people are valued, happy and safe within our community. Why? Because
Young People Matter!
This sentiment is clearly held within our community as evidenced by the generous financial supporter from local businesses and individuals. Donation came from the Tallow Group to run activities for young people in Suffolk Park, the Scanlon Foundation (following recommendation from a parent who had participated in Rosalie's Parenting course), the Malibu
Classic Club, Knappick Foundation as well as from several individuals who wish to remain anonymous. Thank you to all! Every bit helps to enable us to respond to the particular needs of young people in our community, but more importantly, the ripple effect: from staff to young people to families to community, is immeasurable but immeasurably significant!
for donating coffee for our courses!
