b'Inspiring people Volunteers provideCreating safe, stable homes extraordinary support for children in needWhen the volunteers of Unitings Lifeline CrisisHaving a foster child in our home has been an Support first start their training, they areincredibly fulfilling experience. Watching her ordinary people looking to support the wellbeinggrow and providing support [to her] has brought of their community. After months of trainingimmeasurable joy. Simply picking her up from day and on-the-job supervision, these volunteers arecare and asking how her day was and being able No matter what age, ability, gender expression or stage of life, wereequipped with the confidence and skills to giveto protect and care for her like a little sister, has extraordinary support to people facing mentalbeen incredibly rewarding, says a daughter of here for people to help overcome challenges and build a brighter future. health challenges. As well as providing essentialUniting Foster Carer.support to people in crisis, these volunteers areFoster care creates life-changing opportunities building skills, a community of volunteer peers, Supporting those withand gaining a nationally recognised accreditation.for vulnerable children and young people while We believe in a world where everyone hasalso being highly rewarding for carers. Operating the right to live their life to the fullesta disability to fulfillThis year, 299 Crisis Supporters answered 44,902across east, south, west Victoria and Gippsland, potential. Where everyone can participatein society and is treated with respect.their career goals calls in Melbourne and Ballarat. I am amazed atour foster care program provides short, medium the courage and tenacity of help seekers! Evenand long-term care that prioritises childrens Uniting works with people experiencingOur NDIS-funded School Leaver Employmentin the direst, most difficult discussions, there issafety and well-being, while supporting family vulnerability, marginalisation orSupports program Pathways 2 Employmentcourage. I have learnt far more than I have given,reunification where possible. Our foster carers disadvantage so they can access theprovides mentoring, skill development, accreditedsaid one volunteer.have access to continuous support, ongoing fundamentals in lifelike housing, earlytraining, career planning, and work placementssupervision and training to ensure they provide education and employment. We work tofor school leavers living with a physical orFind out more high-quality care. Our 2022 Living our Value inspire people, enliven communities andpsychosocial disability. Working closely withawards showcased some of our amazing foster confront injustice. each participant over two years, we tailor thecarers whose offer of love, care and growth course content to meet their needs and helpopportunities have had a life-changing impactthem work toward their career objectives. WeHIPPY helps kidson young people.Giving childrensupport participants in their work placements, and pair them with an employment coach tohead to schoolthe best startensure their experience sets them on the path Find out moreto fulfilling their goals.HIPPY is a two-year nationwide, Australian Our Specialist Early Education and DevelopmentGovernment-funded program designed to (SEED) referral-only centre in Melbournes innerParticipants also receive training in road rules andassist parents and carers to join in fun activities east focuses on giving children living withmany successfully gain their learners permit. Thisalongside their child in preparation for their first significant family stress and social disadvantage,helps them feel safer and more empowered as ayear of school. This allows parents and carers the best start to their education.passenger and allows them to decide if learningto strengthen their relationship with their child, SEED provides an intensive early intervention andto drive is something theyd like to do.begin to understand how their child learns,care approach. The program aims to reproduceAccording to the 2022 School Leaver participantand discover what areas their child might need the results of the Parkville Institutes Early Yearssurvey report, 52 per cent of graduates findfurther assistance with. Education research program which showedsecure work after completing the program, Parents and carers who have completed the significant improvement in childrens cognitiveor go on to receive further support through two-year program then become tutors, visiting skills, including language and speech, resilience,disability employment services. current HIPPY participants in their homes, and and social and emotional development. Thisassisting the parent and child to work through early learning model helps prepare children forFind out more the curriculum and build their confidenceprimary school and ensure theyre equipped within preparation for the first year of school. the knowledge, skills and attributes needed forUniting has partnered with Brotherhood ofongoing successful learning. St Laurence to deliver HIPPY in Broadmeadows and Bairnsdale. 16 Uniting Vic.Tas and Uniting Housing Annual Report Uniting Vic.Tas and Uniting Housing Annual Report 17'