Youth Care UPA Celebrate 20 Years of helping our Young People
Announcement posted by UPA North Coast 04 Sep 2017
On Sunday the 27th of August, Youth Care UPA celebrated 20 years of service providing out of home care to children and young people on the North Coast. The special event which included a lunch and entertainment was held at Alstonville Showground.
Jeff McDonald, Program Manager (who has been with Youth Care UPA since the beginning when it was called Kids in Care) organised the event with the help of the dedicated Youth Care team.
“We really wanted to thank anyone who had been involved with our service, whatever their role, over the past two decades”, said Mr McDonald.
Two hundred people attended the milestone event. Guests were kids with their foster families, children of the foster families, staff both current and past of Youth Care UPA, local politicians – The Hon Thomas George Member for Lismore and Tamara Smith Greens Member for Ballina, a representative from FaCS, and many more.
“We were lucky enough to have the first ever young person we had in foster care attend,” said Mr McDonald.
“The Massey Brothers provided music, and Horace Bevan was MC,” said Mr McDonald of the entertainment lineup, “There was a BBQ lunch catered for by the Lions Club of Alstonville – so a big thanks to them, and there were jumping castles, rides, farm animals and a craft table for kids.”
“When we started the general feeling was that we probably wouldn’t be around for the long term. The battles we have had to fight just to maintain our presence in the sector right from the beginning and to achieve what we have and to be placed where we are now certainly needed celebrating.”
The next steps for Youth Care UPA moving forward are to strive for more growth to be able to provide a better future for the children and young people in the program.
“We will do this with always keeping the best interest of the children and young people as our motivating factor,” said Mr McDonald.
Foster Carers are urgently required for respite, short term and long term care. Families, couples and singles are encouraged to apply by calling Youth Care UPA on 02 6620 4400 or visiting youthcareupa.org
ENDS.
Youth Care UPA is a program of the UPA Far North Coast Charity Organisation. They provide a secure, safe and caring alternate living arrangement for those young people who cannot or choose not to live with their natural families.
It is their mission to provide an efficient and effective out of home care which empowers young people, and creates opportunities for their future to enhance their quality of life.
This will be achieved in collaboration with the young person, their family and other relevant people and services.
Youth Care UPA plans for quality outcomes, while providing outreach and support to young people with identified needs.
They are also one of the only organisations in the field to work closely with the child’s birth family, facilitating change so as to address the cause of problems and work toward a positive outcome for all involved.
If you know a child at risk, please contact the Community Services Help Line 13 21 11.
Foster Carers are urgently required for respite, short term and long term care. Families, couples and singles are encouraged to apply by calling UPA Youth Care on 02 6620 4400.