The South Australian Government has announced an increase in funding to Operation Flinders, an organization known for its impactful adventure mentoring programs for young people in care. The Adventure Mentoring program, praised for its effectiveness, is set to receive $150,000 to support 24 participants in the first term of this year.
Katrine Hildyard, Minister for Child Protection, spoke about the significance of the ongoing government support. She said, “With the support of some extraordinary mentors, this outstanding program has already helped these brilliant young people who face some really hard challenges to grow, build self-confidence, and develop valuable life skills.”
The Adventure Mentoring program, initiated in the 2024 school year, has seen over 70 young people benefit from activities tailored to their interests, such as kayaking, mountain biking, abseiling, and hiking. The program partners with the Department for Child Protection (DCP) to provide personal mentoring for 10 weeks, focusing on building resilience and self-confidence.
David Wark, Chief Executive of Operation Flinders Foundation, shared insights into the program’s success, “We measure all of our projects on resilience, connectiveness and purpose, and the satisfaction surveys we’ve done with the children and young people in care have been fantastic.” The program’s achievements were acknowledged with the Community Service category award at the 2024 South Australian Child Protection Awards.
Grant Stevens, SA Police Commissioner and Chair of Operation Flinders Foundation, also commented on the program’s impact. He remarked on the significance of creating a supportive environment for these vulnerable young people, “To see the young people’s ongoing success and achievements has been phenomenal.”
Operation Flinders has a long-standing history of providing adventure therapy, with their main initiative being an intense eight-day program held in the northern Flinders Ranges. This experience involves trekking up to 100km and learning about Aboriginal culture and bush skills. Many participants from the child protection and family support system have found the long-term program to be highly beneficial.
There are also future aspirations to expand the Adventure Mentoring program. According to Wark, the foundation hopes to reach 200 participants in the coming year, provided they can secure the right mentors.
With this substantial funding boost and the positive testimonials from current and past participants, the Adventure Mentoring program by Operation Flinders is set to continue offering vital support and development opportunities to young people in care. The program not only equips them with practical skills but also imbues a stronger sense of self-worth and community connection. The continued success of such initiatives is crucial for the holistic development and integration of these young individuals into society.
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