News

The announcement made by the Federal Government regarding the allocation of the Youth Connections and National Green Jobs Corps Programs has seen Bridging the Gap Inc gain business. This new business will cover an area from Mandurah to Fremantle and across the Metro Area. This has led Bridging the Gap to open an additional full time site in Mandurah

MEDIA RELEASE – STACEY MANNING
Rockingham Teenager wins Youth off the Streets National Scholarship

Last month Rockingham teen, Stacey Manning was one of 22 recipients of the Youth off the Streets Scholarship Program. Stacey was the only teen from Western Australia to be awarded the $5000 scholarship.

Stacey has had a tough life since childhood and as a 16 year old was referred to the Bridging the Gap Connections Program. The Connections Program has 2 Consultants that work with young people 13 – 19 years of age who have been disengaged from mainstream education for at least three consecutive months or more and face multiple barriers including homelessness, mental illness, drug and alcohol abuse issues, Juvenile Justice orders and more.

The Connections Consultants worked with Stacey to identify her strengths, goals and career options and to find ways to overcome her barriers to learning, to get involved in flexible and accredited education and training options and to increase her life and employability skills. This was accomplished by getting Stacey involved in the community based educational program at Bridging the Gap called FUELLS (Future Understanding of Education and Lifelong Learning Skills) which the Connections Consultants run 3 days a week. Stacey obtained a Certificate I in Work Preparation and was the standout contributor to a DVD the participants of the FUELLS program put together on Youth Homelessness.

After the completion of the FUELLS program Stacey went on to participate in Bridging the Gap’s joint Raleigh International GYM8 program in Sabah which took her on a 10 week expedition with young people from around the world.

Upon her return, Stacey completed her bronze Duke of Edinburgh medal and was awarded the Dave Nelson Youth Award.

Staff at Bridging the Gap have continued to work with Stacey since returning from Sabah and in March this year nominated her for the Youth off the Streets Scholarship Award due to her overwhelming commitment to make a better life for herself.

Stacey, accompanied by a staff member from Bridging the Gap were flown to Sydney for the spectacular awards night dinner at the Hilton Hotel Ballroom on the 29 August. Eric Bana, the Youth off the Streets Ambassador was at the awards night greeting all the recipients.

Dianne Dillon who flew to Sydney with Stacey says: “I don’t think Stacey realised how important this award was until she stood on that stage to accept the trophy…..I felt so privileged to have been a part of that special night….Stacey has made an impact on all staff at Bridging the Gap and continues to brighten all our lives with her achievements…..”

Stacey plans to use the sponsorship to further her education in Horticulture by the purchase of a computer. Stacey has also been linked with a mentor from Sydney, a Horticulturalist who works for the Bondi Council, who will guide Stacey through the next 2 years of her accredited education.