Beginning in Term 4, 2021, youth advocacy organisation Trek Learning Centre in Olinda will offer “Life Links”, their newest youth program for young people aged 16-24 with an NDIS recognised disability.
The Life Links program is a one day a week, full school term program where young people will learn to grow food, cook a meal every week, develop strong kitchen & food-handling skills, learn to use a commercial coffee machine to make a full café range of coffee’s, develop a resume and have support developing an individualised next step pathway for education, training, employment and community links.
During the Life Links program, each young person will have the opportunity to
- Apply for a proof of ID card (if they are over 18)
- Apply for their own medicare card (if appropriate)
- Develop a resume
- Know how to cook 5-6 meals by the end of the program as well as deserts and seasonal condiments (jam, lemon butter, passata etc)
- Grow a range of foods and harvest fresh produce for program meals
- Develop strong baristing skills on a 3 bay commercial coffee machine
- Learn to use a front loader washing machine
- Make social connections
- Be individually supported to develop a personal next steps pathway plan.
Founder and CEO Meg Yates, who has recently been announced as a Westfield 2021 Local Hero finalist for her work with Trek, works with very small groups of participants each term (5-6 in a group) to help build and strengthen their social connections and capabilities.
Trek Learning Centre provides therapeutic, trauma-informed programming and is very focused on developing and strengthen autonomy, community connections, next step pathways & living and employability skills for young people with disabilities who have passion, aspiration and who may have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 and the experience of extreme isolation.
Life Links can operate throughout lockdowns under the “care services for people with particular needs because of homelessness, family violence, age, infirmity, disability, illness or a chronic health condition or other essential support services” classification within the official government guidelines.
If you have a client or loved one who may benefit from Life Links, reach out to organise a tour of Trek Learning Centre by calling Meg on 0433 902 623, or email meg@treklearningcentre.org
