Meet Brooke, one of the young women receiving an education and support to achieve her future goals via the Kurnai Young Parents Program (KYPP).
Kindred Spirits Enterprises (KSE) is working closely with KYPP to develop an innovative Mentoring Initiative to add to its existing service, which is to provide a caring, flexible and supportive learning environment for all young parents under the age of 21.
It was while working on this ground-breaking initiative that KSE crossed paths with the highly creative KYPP student.
Brooke demonstrated an artistic flair that she would like to put to good use in event planning and use this skill to help those like herself with a limited income.
“I recently planned the KYPP 10-year anniversary, and I really enjoyed it,” Brooke said.
“I designed and helped create a theme, with colours for balloons, table decorations and invitation designs… and it’s something I would like to do more of.”
She also sees herself as an effective team leader, ready to inspire others to work with her on exciting projects.
However, Brooke’s story of hardship isn’t an isolated one. She recently faced having to plan a birthday celebration for her one-year-old son with almost no money.
“When you’re a young mum, you don’t get a lot [of income],” she said.
Just as Brooke needs support to gain some financial independence for herself, she wants to help provide that same support to other young parents in a similar situation.
“If I was to be an event planner, I would make it affordable for others like me,” Brooke said, adding that she would work with suppliers to get the best deals to keep costs down.
KYPP lead, Ang’ Bolding, said the program supports girls such as Brooke to achieve their goals.
“It’s all about trying to get some pathways happening. If this is a pathway that Brooke wants to pursue, we’ll try and make it happen for her,” Ang’ said.
“We can network with people in the community and assist Brooke to make a plan for herself.”
KYPP provides Brooke and other young parents with the opportunity to achieve their Year 12, together with VET units and other certificates. KSE has partnered with KYPP and Kids First Australia, with support from Latrobe Health Assembly, to establish the Mentoring Initiative and provide ongoing guidance to students and recent graduates.
“KYPP gives them the opportunity to pursue their education, when they otherwise couldn’t do that,” Ang’ said.
“They can bring their babies to the classroom and we make the curriculum flexible, so that it meets the girls’ needs while also fulfilling the requirements of the curriculum.”
Cooking is part of the VET component and Brooke has been busy baking cookies, some of which are being made with a special design to give to supporters of another KSE program, The Little Village Project.
“We try to give them what they need to be successful for themselves and their children in the future,” Ang’ said.
The Mentoring Initiative aims to build on this inspiring work delivered by Ang’ and her team. It will provide young parents with the means to create meaningful connections with their community and reach their full potential.
If you’re interested in volunteering as a mentor and supporting young parents to succeed, send your expression of interest here.
