A PARTNERSHIP between a serviced apartment business in Caroline Springs and a Melbourne charity will give young people who have been in contact with the criminal justice system a chance to reconnect with society.
Quest Caroline Springs has teamed up with not-for-profit organisation Whitelion to help disadvantaged young people gain employment.
Whitelion runs role-modelling, mentoring, employment and indigenous programs to create opportunities for young people involved or at risk of being involved in the Youth Justice System.
Under the partnership, young people deemed ready for employment by Whitelion will have a chance to work in a number of roles at Quest, including housekeeping.
Whitelion employment program manager Jeff Hamilton said getting at-risk youths into jobs helps them stay out of trouble.
“Getting a job can help build a young person’s self-esteem and it gives them a sense of identity and self-worth,” Mr Hamilton said.
“It helps them stay focused and keeps them from getting bored and doing wrong things.”
Quest, which moved into Caroline Springs in February, has also partnered with MacKillop Family Services in Melton and will provide funding for the organisation’s family support programs.
Quest business development executive Natalie Bui said she’s delighted to have formed a partnership with both groups.
“We will present donations to MacKillop Family Services and Whitelion at our official opening on May 4 and we will provide ongoing support to both organisations,” she said.
