National Volunteer Week
This National Volunteer Week we take the opportunity to say ‘THANK YOU’ to the many wonderful and generous volunteers we have at Yalari. This year’s theme is ““Changing Communities. Changing Lives” which is at the heart of everything we do as an organisation.
Over the last few months we have missed seeing our volunteers in the office and we cannot wait to see their friendly faces again soon. Due to the current coronavirus situation at this stage we are still unsure on whether our 2020 Yalari Dinners will go ahead, but we are very grateful for all of our previous dinner volunteers and we hope to see you again at our dinners at the end of the year.
To all of our volunteers, past and present, we love you and appreciate everything you have done to help our children be the best they can be.
If you would like to read more about volunteering at Yalari please click here.
Recently, Yalari alumna Kaleishia Ross (class of 2014) started work at Headspace in Katherine as the Aboriginal Wellbeing Worker.
Below is a message written by Kaleisha explaining her new role, and it’s importance in the community.
“Hey Everyone, my name is Kaleishia Ross. I am from and live in Katherine in the Northern Territory. In 2010 I was awarded the Rosemary Bishop Scholarship; I have graduated in 2014 at Scotch College in Adelaide.
I currently work at headspace in Katherine and I am the Aboriginal Wellbeing Worker. Headspace is the National Youth Mental Health Foundation that provides early intervention to young people between 12 and 25 years. The service covers 4 core areas: mental health, physical health, work and study support and alcohol and other drugs.
My role is to provide responsive and culturally appropriate and safe support to young Aboriginal people experiencing difficulties in access to mental health care. Including the consideration of mental health difficulties, social, intergenerational trauma, alcohol and drug issues and engagement in education or employment, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. I am required to assist with referrals and engagements with private providers at headspace Katherine.
I love that I have been given this opportunity to further my skills and to expand my understanding and knowledge on mental health and encouraging my people with the stigma of mental health and issues we as Aboriginal people face.
I maintain a healthy headspace by being active and playing a range of sports, keeping connected to my family, friends and culture. And taking the time to balance work, sleep and being a mum.”
It is currently Mental Awareness Month, and it’s amazing to see a Yalari alumna in such an important role, helping towards this cause and giving back to community.
If you would like further information about Headspace and the work they do please visit: https://headspace.org.au/.
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Yalari respects our Elders, past and present, and acknowledges that our office is on Kombumerri country within the lands of the Yugambeh language group
(07) 5665 8688
[email protected]
4 Helensvale Road, Helensvale QLD 4212