Streetwork is a local charity who provide mentoring support for at-risk, North Shore young people – aged 11 to 18. This year, they have three finalists in the running to win Westfield Local Hero Awards. If all three succeed, the organisation will receive a $30k grant from Westfield.
Please support Streetwork by using the links below to vote for each of their team’s finalists. Be quick – voting closes today, Monday 14 September.
About StreetWork
StreetWork is a non-denominational, for-purpose, community organisation working with ‘at risk’ young people affected by crime, mental health issues, violence, destructive relationships, social isolation, homelessness, those disengaged from school or with poor employment opportunities and those impacted by alcohol and substance abuse, to turn their lives around.
At StreetWork we seek to give ‘at risk’ young people the same opportunities as their peers .. that is to grow, to achieve their dreams and to develop as a person with high self esteem.
Their flagship program, is a one-on-one mentoring which we call KickStart, which aims to break the cycle of destructive behaviours and help them turn their lives around.
Jesse Ko
StreetWork Australia Limited
Motivated. Empowering. Diligent
As a youth worker at StreetWork, Jesse Ko helps at-risk young people from all walks of life, including those affected by crime, mental illness, substance misuse and homelessness. He has a talent for making people feel safe and comfortable, and he is passionate about helping them achieve their goals.
Westfield Local Heroes are nominated and voted for by their communities, with the three top finalists per Westfield centre each awarded a $10,000 grant for their affiliated organisation. If Jesse is successful, Streetwork will use its grant to further grow their Kickstart mentoring program.
Thomas Dent
Confident. Compassionate. Professional
When young people in Hornsby find themselves in need of help, they can be sure that StreetWork‘s Tom Dent is there for them. Tom leads a team of six youth workers who provide outreach support for at-risk youth. “We get onto the streets and take a unique approach to building rapport with vulnerable young people to help them overcome their personal barriers.” Tom’s colleagues respect him for being a great leader and being driven to help others and for always trying to improve StreetWork’s service. “We use our one-on-one mentoring program Kickstart to help teens set goals to realise their potential and to create real change,” says Tom.
Westfield Local Heroes are nominated and voted for by their communities, with the three top finalists per Westfield centre each awarded a $10,000 grant for their affiliated organisation. If Tom is successful, StreetWork will use its grant to fund promotional activities and to run art programs in the area to engage young people.
Jane Vincent
Passionate. Selfless. Dedicated
Jane Vincent joined StreetWork in 2014 to help with fundraising for an event. But she identified with the organisation’s purpose and is now chairperson of the Northern Beaches board. StreetWork was established 40 years ago on the premise that one supportive mentor is often all that is needed to turn a young life around. This is a philosophy close to Jane’s heart. “I believe intensive, one-on-one mentoring is the best means of breaking the cycle of disadvantage in our community,” she says. Jane spends many volunteer hours raising funds and advocating for at-risk young people on the in the Manly-Warringah community.
Westfield Local Heroes are nominated and voted for by their communities, with the three top finalists per Westfield centre each awarded a $10,000 grant for their affiliated organisation. If Jane is successful, StreetWork will use its grant to fund 200 hours of mentoring services.