Creativity of Oasis employee James recognised with youth worker award
The Ourspace IT mobile classroom is opening up new opportunities for young people, says Oasis Hunter youth worker James Cameron. (Photo: Shairon Paterson)
We’re all responsible for caring for young people, it’s not just the responsibility of a youth worker or a program or a church. We’re making it our mission to skill up the community to be able to identify and care for their own.
– James Cameron
Oasis Hunter youth worker, James Cameron, was named as the Youth Worker of the Year for the NSW Lake Macquarie area in 2012.
James runs The Salvation Army’s Ourspace Outreach and Training Program at the Oasis Hunter Youth Support Network.
"James has really earned this award as he partners well with local organisations, he relates really well to young people and he presents the profile of The Salvation Army as the innovative and dynamic organisation that we are,” says service manager Elise Briggs.
“James’ creativity and optimism is contagious and all of us at Oasis Hunter are inspired and sometimes exhausted by his energy.”
Ourspace, the IT mobile classroom developed by the Oasis Youth Network Hunter program and the NSW Department of Education and Training, was officially launched in early 2012. It has become an important tool in the services offered through Oasis Hunter.
The Ourspace program is run from a Mitsubishi Fuso Deluxe bus, which has been converted into a mobile classroom and fitted with 10 seats, desks, laptops, printer-scanner, PA system, data projector, high-speed internet, refrigerator, air-conditioning and a generator. It offers a nationally accredited certificate two in information technology, hospitality and asset maintenance.
“Not only do we offer accredited training to those in isolated areas, but we also offer community activities and events,” James says.
“This allows us to become an integral part of the early intervention strategy for young people, which we are undertaking in collaboration with the Port Stephens and Lake Macquarie City councils.”
As well as accredited training, the bus is also being used to partner with local schools to run relevant courses like cyber bullying workshops.
“We’re also looking at raising awareness around internet use, the dangers of using social media, and also the impact that can have on families and the general community,” James says.
“A faceless [internet] post can become something quite horrific very unintentionally. So we take a really comprehensive look at usage of the internet responsibly.”
For more information, visit www.salvos.org.au/oasishunter
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