Homeless youth provided an 'Oasis' on Hamilton Island
Some of the youth who have taken part in the Hamilton Island Project with John Harris (far right). (Photo by Justine Kerrigan)
Many of us could only dream about living on an island in the Whitsundays. Through the OASIS Pathways Program, young people affected by homelessness are being given not only a chance to live on Hamilton Island, but the opportunity to get their life back on track.
Hamilton Island, part of the Whitsunday Islands in the Great Barrier Reef, is one of Australia’s number one holiday destinations. It is here that an exciting new program has been piloted, which was developed by the OASIS Territorial Pathways Program.
Salvation Army Territorial Youth Liaison Officer John Harris says the OASIS Pathways Program “opens an alternative pathway into the workforce for young people to whom traditional pathways have been closed.”
In working with Hamilton Island Enterprise and Oasis Pathways, the program offers successful applicants aged 18 to 25 the opportunity to live and work on Hamilton Island for 12 months minimum. Whilst there, the young people work towards earning a Certificate III in Hospitality. But most importantly, they will be provided with accommodation, income, and experience for their resume in the future.
When the project began in late 2010, John was told that only 2 positions could be offered to young people in the first pilot after initially asking for 15. 18 months on, 25 young people have been given the opportunity to work on the Island, with only 5 not making it past the probation period.
“My vision is to target isolated resort communities because they provide the necessary requirements as an intervention into youth homelessness and disadvantaged youth,” says John. “That’s accommodation, a supportive community, training, employment, support from the Salvos and a beautiful therapeutic environment.”
Candidates are selected by John in partnership with Salvation Army Youth Centres and Employment Plus. Before being considered, candidates must have shown a willingness to change their circumstances, have no matters before the courts and show stability with alcohol and other drugs.
Included in the post employment phase of the program is the OASIS Coaching Support Program which addresses issues of self awareness, conflict resolution, problem solving and building relationships. This process sets the young people up for a normalized transition to Island work and life.
Hamilton Island CEO Glenn Burke says the program creates a sense of pride amongst all staff on the island. “I think there is a general belief that this is a great thing to do for the community,” says Glenn. “Not like a formal corporate responsibility, but embracing kids who haven’t had a break in life and can do with one.”
Hamilton Island’s General Manager for People, Culture and Development, Margaret Aboody believes this is a true partnership between The Salvation Amy and Hamilton Island.
“We can train them on all of the skills they need in the roles that they’re going in to so they don’t actually have to have a lot of experience. What they do come with is the right attitude, open-mindedness and a worth ethic that we really need,” says Margaret.
The vision for the project now is to see it integrated into the recruitment strategies of the other isolated resort communities across Australia. “Our endeavour is to create an intervention for homeless, disadvantaged or disconnected youth, by giving them that stepping stone; that one chance they really need,” says John.
The OASIS Youth Network philosophy is ‘however long it takes’, and they are certainly looking to the future with this isolated resort communities employment project.
“Picture this. 50 jobs per year in isolated resort communities across Australia. In 10 years, that’s 500 young people’s lives changed,” says John. “Then we would have a specialised, unique pathway out of homelessness, for young people who have changed their attitude on the inside.”
Story by Nathalia Rickwood
Comments
This is beautiful, what a truly exceptional solution I believe has a lot of truth! I wish this program and their makers the best!!