Social Inclusion Week runs from November 25 to December 3 and encourages communities to reconnect with one another and give people the opportunity to feel valued and connected to society.
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Social isolation can often lead young people to engage in negative behaviour.
As a community we need to join together to combat marginalisation and ensure that young people feel included in society.
Social Inclusion Week is a good starting point, providing us with the opportunity to get involved in community events and gatherings for the benefit of young disaffected people.
But we must not stop there. Education is the key factor to breaking down the cycle of social isolation.
Youth Off The Streets invests heavily in our education programs and activities, creating opportunities for young people to learn valuable skills and engage with one another.
Our dedication to education saw my organisation opening of two new school sites in 2017. Reaching communities in need to ensure young people not only get a quality education, but have a place to feel welcome is paramount to enacting social inclusion.
Our outreach programs engage and connect young people, giving them access to fun activities and programs including sports, music and dance, education, volunteering and community projects.
These programs are all about connecting with local communities, building relationships and networks, and addressing social isolation and exclusion.
I believe that all young people should be given the chance to achieve their full potential.
That is why we continue to work so hard to develop programs within our services to ensure that our young people feel included and valued, providing them with opportunities to engage in their local communities and society.
You too can do your part in the community, so get involved, volunteer, and connect with your local community, friends and family to support our young people during Social Inclusion Week.
Father Chris Riley, CEO at Youth Off The Streets
Stupid is as stupid does
Giving a ferry a "catchy" name (“Environmentalist 'dumped' for Ferry McFerryface”, The Daily Advertiser, November 16) is like going to a dress-up party where everyone has a giggle on your arrival, and then you stand around for the rest of the night looking stupid.
Bob Guy, Cootamundra
Preserve freedom of speech
What have we come to? The Chinese government interfering with our freedom of speech. The very principle that our servicemen fought for in two world wars.
We shouldn't be scared of what the Chinese government does by threatening our right to express ourselves in print. The academics and writers of Australia should not be muzzled. They are speaking out about clandestine Chinese influence. And we should be standing by them. Or else we will soon become just another satellite?
Let's stop the rot right now and make our government responsible for the current state of play.
Once freedom of speech has gone we are at the mercy of the oligarchs.
So speak out about what is happening. We owe it to ourselves and for our children.