Vinnies Youth Connections:

Aims to provide a safety net for young people (11-19 years) who have disengaged or at risk of disengaging from education.  The program offers flexible case management support and services that recognize the role that family and community play in a young person's wellbeing and development.

The program is funded by the Commonwealth of Australia as represented by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.

Youth Connections targets vocational and non-vocational barriers that limit the opportunities to participate in education training and employment.  Young people at risk will develop personal skills and attributes that promote wellbeing and support positive life choices.

Our service delivery is characterized by assistance to young people to remain engaged or re-engage with education and/or further training through the provision of individualised case management to overcome personal barriers.  This may be delivered through one-on-one assistance, group assistance, mentoring, advocacy and/or referrals to external support or specialist services.

Vinnies Youth Connections works across a large portion of the south west Riverina region including the communities of Balranald, Berrigan, Deniliquin, Finley, Hay, Jerilderie, Moama, Moolamein, Tooleybuc, Tocumwall and Wakool.

The progam is run in tandem with services provided by Albury Youth and Family Services who service the eastern sector of the region.

The Youth connections Program works in close conjunction with MICEEP a Partnrship Broker who develops and brokers partnerships between and among schools, business, industry, families and community groups to support student engagement and improve educations and transition outcomes.