Male, 11yrs Page | 9
1. Introduction <strong>Berry</strong> <strong>Street</strong> believes all children should have a good childhood, growing up feeling safe, nurtured and with hope for the future. In 2007 <strong>Berry</strong> <strong>Street</strong> received applications totalling over $20,000 for a scholarship fund that held only $4,000. All the requests were for what might be considered ‘normal’ childhood opportunities or resources: art equipment to be able to paint and draw, music lessons, a skateboard. Even a request from two sisters for funds to support an overseas trip was not out of the ordinary for young women of their age, ready to explore the world. In many situations a parent might do their best to support, or endeavour to provide these opportunities for growth and development in their child. For families that are struggling or facing challenges such as domestic violence, mental illness, substance abuse, financial hardship or separation, the provision of what may be regarded as ‘nonessential’ experiences are often out of reach or too far down the list of priorities to consider. <strong>Berry</strong> <strong>Street</strong> has an in loco parentis role for the children and young people in programs and services as part of Out of Home Care provision. Further, the organisation plays a supportive role for many Victorian families facing challenges and tough times. <strong>Berry</strong> <strong>Street</strong> believes that this commitment to supporting children, youth and families includes finding ways to ensure that children and young people continue to have access to the rites of passage, opportunities for pure fun and positive growth experiences commonly available to their peers. Further, <strong>Berry</strong> <strong>Street</strong> is committed to ensuring that they are able to connect to their communities, peers and families and to develop resilience through positive memories. This commitment, combined with the ever present pressure to fundraise to sustain a handful of programs focusing on providing children and young people with positive and fun opportunities, inspired the development of the <strong>Positive</strong> <strong>Memory</strong> <strong>Bank</strong>. The <strong>Positive</strong> <strong>Memory</strong> <strong>Bank</strong> (PMB) was developed to: 1. Empower children & young people to participate in decisions affecting them; 2. Enable children and young people in <strong>Berry</strong> <strong>Street</strong> programs and services to access opportunities, rites of passage and positive experiences that contribute to their own bank of positive memories; and 3. Provide <strong>Berry</strong> <strong>Street</strong> staff and young people with the opportunity to participate in the distribution of funds to support themselves and their peers by; 4. Create a sustainable funding source for projects, materials and activities which enhance our capacity to build on positive memories for children and young people in our care. Generous seed funding through the Newsboys Foundation and the Hoffman Foundation, made the development of the concept into a reality, and a pilot year possible. In the first three months a Reference Group was established to guide the development of the <strong>Positive</strong> <strong>Memory</strong> <strong>Bank</strong> concept, including: a definition of positive memory activities and opportunities; a clear application process; and application and publicity materials In addition to the project manager 4 , the Reference Group included three nominated representatives from <strong>Berry</strong> <strong>Street</strong> programs (Family Services, Residential Case Management and Intensive Case Management Service), representatives from <strong>Berry</strong> <strong>Street</strong> Business Operations and Development Teams, and Sandy Shaw, CEO of the Newsboys Foundation. Grant assessment was carried out by a Giving Group. This group included four permanent members with the capacity to invite others to participate, where appropriate. In the interests of youth participation it was also intended that this 4 Lauren Oliver, Internal Consultant: Youth Empowerment & Participation Page | 10
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