Get Ready to Ride

Grab a bike, grab a buddy and join the AquaFit 2010 Charity Bikeride on Sunday 12 September. Riders have the choice of a 14km relatively flat ride or a 41km ride for the more experienced. You can also just come and join in the fun at the finish line of three huge events in Camden. Cheer home the Aquafit Charity Ride at 10.30am, the Goulburn to Citi Corporate Challenge at 11am and the famous Penanga Goulburn to Citi Cycle Classic at 11.30am.

This event is proudly sponsoring Youth Solutions so phone AquaFit on 4629 7297 or visit www.aquafit.com.au  for an information pack. Check out our YouTube clip on www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXHj8K49XUw

You can personally sponsor Sally Berry, Youth Solution’s Program Support Officer, who will be riding in the 14km Charity Ride. Simply click on the link and donate now www.gofundraise.com.au/bikeride.
 

Message from the CEO

The last few months have seen much activity at Youth Solutions. The launch of the Y_Mind? Inspiring Mental Health resource, two very successful fundraising events - McDonald’s Helping Hands and our Annual Charity Event, and the formation of our Youth Advisory Group.

The next few months will see us focussing on getting a Safer Summer message across to our young people and community, a Campbelltown Youth Safer Celebrations Summit and a variety of workshops and community events.

Please remember that everyone can make a difference to the safety of our young people and help them to reach their full potential - you too can be part of the Solution! Hope you enjoy this newsletter!

YouChoose Youth Smoking Cessation project

Utilising the revised Youth Smoking Cessation resource funded by Cancer Council NSW, school teachers, youth and health workers will be equipped with a resource to assist young people aged 12 – 25 years to quit smoking. Youth Solutions will review, update and evaluate the YouChoose Program.

This month 12 teachers and a worker from Mission Australia attended YouChoose training and will be conducting a trial of the program within 5 high schools in the Macarthur region. Keep an eye out for future YouChoose updates.

Cannabis can leave you permanently out of it!

Launched by NSW Health Minister, Carmel Tebbutt, this new, statewide awareness campaign targeting the dangers of using cannabis will focus on frequent cannabis users aged 20 - 29 years. The aim of the campaign is to raise awareness of the health and social harms associated with continued use and the treatment and support options available.

Keep an eye out for the campaign in bathrooms, in cinemas across NSW, in magazines, animated on cinema screens metro and regional NSW, targeted online advertising (instant chat program and gaming websites) and for more information check out the great website www.permanentlyoutofit.com.au.

Campbelltown Youth Safer Celebrations Summit

Thanks to the Campbelltown RSL Club who recently donated $5000 to Youth Solutions to run a two day Campbelltown Youth Safer Celebrations Summit!

This Summit will take place in December at the Campbelltown RSL Club targeting young people in the Campbelltown Local Government Area who are 15 – 17 years of age.

The Summit aims to bring the young people together to assist them, Youth Solutions, local high schools and youth services to find real solutions for real issues. The Summit will culminate with representatives from the Campbelltown RSL, NSW Police, Campbelltown City Council, parents, teachers and other community members attending and hearing the young people’s ideas.

Y_Mind? Inspiring Youth Mental Health

Y_Mind? Inspiring Youth Mental Health, which has been funded by the IMB Community Foundation, is a valuable and comprehensive resource which supports communities to run a youth mental health forum.

This user friendly resource which can be accessed on line contains all the necessary background information, workshops, presentation material including PowerPoint presentations and handouts as well as planning tips required to successfully facilitate an entire forum process.

To purchase a copy of the resource ($75.00 + GST) contact us.

Life's a Beach Charity Luncheon

BRAS (Business Relationships at Sunrise) a women’s networking group presents “Life’s a Beach” charity luncheon on September 10 at the Campbelltown Catholic Club.

This luncheon will be one not to miss with entertainment by the renowned violinist Sarah Moir and the seven time ASP Women’s World Champion Surfer, motivational speaker, entrepreneur and philanthropist, Layne Beachley.

So book now to secure a place as seats are limited. Visit www.brasnetwork.com.au or contact Jenniffer 0413 454 112 for more information.

All proceeds from the day will go to Youth Solutions. You can donate directly to Youth Solutions on www.gofundraise.com.au/AdminyY 

The YAG - Youth Solutions Youth Advisory Group

The YAG, as they like to be known as, have been very busy over the last few months helping out at the Drug Action Week stall at Macarthur Square, where 150 surveys were filled out by young people from across Macarthur which looked at identifying drug and alcohol issues of concern for young people in the community.

The YAG also volunteered at the McDonalds Helping Hands Day, as well as attended and helped run side show alley games at the annual Charity Event. They have provided input and advice for the new and exciting Safer Summer campaign! For more information about the YAG phone Sally or Tamara on 4628 2319.

'Life's a Circus' Charity Event Success

On the 24 July, 280 guests celebrated Youth Solutions tenth annual Charity Event fundraiser. Sincere appreciation is also extended to those businesses and individuals who donated prizes for the fundraising activities on the night.

Special thanks to our Sponsors - The Rotary Club of Narellan, Dynamic Investment Management and AMP Foundation, ANZ Banking Group, Bella Arts, C91.3FM, Campbelltown Catholic Club, Campbelltown Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Grimes Finance & Mortgages, Macarthur Chronicle, Maytek IT Solutions, McDonald’s Macarthur, Serenity Financial Professionals, The Bloc Bargo, The Logistics Department and The Protectors Insurance Brokers.

Youth Solutions raised approximately $30 000 to assist the service in delivering programs for young people, families and the wider community to prevent harmful drug and alcohol use over the next 12 months. With the theme being ‘Life’s a Circus’, the night was full of fun, colour, entertainment and fantastic costumes! Thank you to everyone who came along and contributed to its great success, especially to our Youth Advisory Group members who were a great help on the side show alley games!

2010 McDonalds Helping Hands Day Success

McDonalds™ Restaurants across the Macarthur region supported Youth Solutions, through their Helping Hands Program with $5000 in proceeds donated to Youth Solutions. Funds raised will assist Youth Solutions in supporting young people to make safer life choices when it comes to alcohol and other drug use.