Occasionally in our club's meeting program, our Vocational Service Director takes us into local businesses and communities to expand our members knowledge.
Bernie tackles this task with great enthusiasm and last Monday's visit to STEPS Educational & Training facility in George Street was no exception.
STEPS Charity is embarking on an exciting journey to deliver a unique learning experience to young people with a disability through our STEPS Pathways project.
After breakfast provided by the Cafeteria staff, we adjourned to hear Stuart Coward - Executive Officer STEPS Group Australia - present on the background and fulfillment of the STEPS Pathway Project.
The need for the project is clearly demonstrated by the following graphic taken from the STEPS website:
But how to solve the problem?
STEPS website provides the big picture solution:
By teaching young people in our community the skills they need to live in their own home, and make decisions and choices about the way they want to live. People with a disability will be given the opportunity to learn how to live independently in purpose built homes designed to provide a supportive environment that reflects independent living.
The vision led to a $1.4m project to build - on the STEPS campus - an independent living training facility and program which will provide young people with a disability the opportunity to live independently. They will live on campus for 12 months and then transition to suitable external homes under STEPS' oversight.
The back story was fascinating! Stuart told of his fundraising and how - through the generosity of builders, white goods suppliers, and many other trade and professional services - the project is being completed well ahead of schedule. So much so, that syllabus preparation was brought forward and is currently in progress. It will not be long before the first young people will be in residence!
Of course the need for funding continues - originally to build the project, and now to teach.
To donate to the Pathways project, click here - or telephone Angela Miles on 07 5458 3091,
District Conference
Gerry encouraged all members to attend the District Conference on 24-26 March right here at the Caloundra Events Centre.
A District Conference is a great opportunity to learn about the internationality of Rotary and to meet many fellow Rotarians from throughout our Rotary District.
With no accommodation costs needed and no registration costs (unless you want to eat or attend the fabulous Saturday night Dinner & Dance), Caloundra Rotarians should take advantage of this opportunity and register en masse.
Our members are, of course, volunteering at the registration desk but we should all register on line and attend as a show of strength, sitting together for the Conference sessions, and enjoying the Saturday Night dinner together.
All the information you need is on the Rotary District 9600 website or you can simply follow the following links:
THEN
The Conference theme is "Empowering Rotarians To Serve Humanity".
No comments:
Post a Comment