TALKIN’ ‘BOUT THE NEXT GENERATION
Friday, May 08, 2009
Description: TALKIN’ ‘BOUT THE NEXT GENERATION
Author: De La Salle

Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jackson, Jim Carrey, Celine Dion – what could they possibly have in common?

For these celebrities, luxurious lifestyles were never on the cards for them. In fact, they are rare examples of children born into poor families who have risen above their circumstances to use their talents and follow dreams.

Michael Jackson and Celine Dion’s raw singing talent saw them soar to stardom while Jim Carrey’s extraordinary wit was eventually noticed after appearing at countless comedy clubs for free. For Oprah, her emotional ad-lib delivery as a local news anchor woman was the beginning of her journey to becoming one the world’s wealthiest entertainers.

These stars are proof that it is possible for children who are born into disadvantaged families to take a different route from a life of limited opportunities. But the fact is, the odds of it happening are slim and it makes providing children in need with opportunities to change their lives an urgent issue.

In Deception Bay, 30 kilometres north of Brisbane, through BoysTown the De La Salle Brothers have recognised an opportunity to change the lives of disadvantaged young people.

It’s an area where most parents left school after Year 10 and where 30 per cent of children live in families who earn less than $500 per week gross. Public housing is common. Public transport is minimal. Job prospects are limited. Unemployment is high.

So how do you break the cycle of helplessness? From the ground up and within the community according to Trudi Cauley, Program Coordinator of the Communities for Children (CFC) initiative in Deception Bay.

“CFC is designed to support young children and their parents in the area through active participation in a range of community programs aimed at improving health and education,” Ms Cauley said.

Early childhood research suggests that investing and increasing early childhood family support programs leads to the reduction of long-term issues including lower education, higher unemployment and welfare reliance. 

“The experiences of a child from 0 – 5 years impact heavily on their future. It is crucial to invest in the general health and wellbeing of children during the younger years, especially for those who come from troubled backgrounds, in order to effect change,” said Br Ambrose, Chairman of BoysTown.

Through CFC local services and groups in Deception Bay have come together to develop worthwhile activities for young children. Included in the 13 activities which have been developed is a Library Language Outreach Project to promote literacy and the Get Your Body Back initiative to promote exercising together with children. Pacifika, which is a playgroup for Pacific Island families, also runs a weekly parenting course/discussion group while Fathers for Families was developed to support fathers in their parenting roles.

“Through CFC the Deception Bay community is empowered to recognise the needs of its community members and work together to meet them. CFC has given young parents opportunities to strengthen their parenting skills, learn about positive parenting, and act as support mechanisms for one another. For children, shifting the focus back to how to best meet their needs has been a major focus,” said Br Ambrose.

The commitment of the De La Salle Brothers through BoysTown to parent education and early childhood intervention has been recognised with the decision to continue funding this welfare project for the next three years.