Young Hope Accredited
(L to R) Territorial Mission & Resource Director – social – Major Paul Moulds, Minister for Family & Community Services, Pru Goward, Young Hope Director, Caption Michelle White.
Minister for Family and Community Services, Pru Goward presented The Salvation Army with a certificate for provisional accreditation from The Children’s Guardian to begin providing foster care services to vulnerable children and young people in NSW on 5 September.
The official ceremony was held at The Salvation Army Oasis Youth Support Network in Sydney and the announcement of the Army’s out-of-home care program called Young Hope coincided with Child Protection Week, reinforcing the Army’s determination to provide an effective program.
“The Salvation Army has been involved in the tradition of caring for young people,” began Major Paul Moulds, Australia Eastern Territorial Mission and Resource Director – Social.
“Having worked here [Oasis Youth Support Network] for almost 16 years, I’ve heard every story you could imagine. Stories of multiple placements, stories of placements that didn’t offer the type of nurture and support to help people move forward.
“Our out-of-home care support service is actually going to add something to young people’s lives. We absolutely make that commitment to the Minister.”
The Salvation Army is just one of 38 non-government organisations that will run foster care programs and is part of the NSW Parliament’s initiative to transfer this work to the non-government sector.
“We want to work in absolute partnership with you,” said Minister Goward, referring to The Salvation Army.
“I don’t believe [that] transferring out-of-home care to The Salvation Army and organisations like yours [to be] a critical observation of government. It is a reflection on what you can do [The Salvation Army] when you’re small, when you can make quick decision about a child and when that’s in your blood.
“You’ve been doing it for over a hundred years and understand every level of the system and I just think that the fact you’ve called your program Young Hope says it all. You’ve described what you want from young people.”
Captain Michelle White has been appointed as the Director of Young Hope and says she feels honored to be given this opportunity.
“We feel the responsibility and we take that very seriously. We’re committed to ensuring that the networks we create for these children and young people are safe, that they have a sense of belonging and that people are empowered.”
Captain White also recognised the work of The Children’s Guardian at the ceremony who managed to approve the Army’s accreditation within eight weeks and finished by sharing about the important part foster parents will play in Young Hope.
“We also acknowledge the role of foster parents and we are really thankful that we have a society that has great foster parents and make a contribution.”
For further information about Young Hope or to find out about applying to become a carer, visit salvos.org.au/younghope or email younghope@aue.salvationarmy.org
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