Salesian Youth Projects 2017 Annual Report

Salesian Outreach
The 16+ Outreach Programme was the feeder/recruitment tool for the Youth Employment Skills (YES) Programme
and Waves of Change (WOC) projects. This outreach programme was designed around the needs of people upto
the age of 28, the majority of whom are from poverty-stricken areas. The programme assisted struggling youth
to find healthcare, education, legal advice, counselling and mentorship. They also provided Life skills training
to at-risk youth in these severely disadvantaged communities. The programme was guided by the principles of
respect and acceptance, which instills within participants a sense of dignity and improved self-esteem.
The “outreach” workers build a relationship with at-risk community youth and services included:
• Consultations (includes counselling, general advice and referrals, i.e. Trauma and Rehab Centres)
• Minor medical help
• Assistance with IDs and other official documents
• Placements into shelters and places of safety
• Advocacy on the streets and in the youth’s community
• Maintains a “Guardian Angel” system of people looking out for each other in the communities
• Food, clothing and blanket distribution when available i.e., the Easter Egg Distribution, Blanket Drive and
Christmas Parties, which happen at a specific time each year
• Working in communities with Elders and Community Leaders to reach youth at risk
• Socialisation once per week at the Salesian Institute
• Regular Life Skills Sessions in the communities, as well as Awareness Programmes and Holiday Programmes
• Day outings for groups by age and gender and camps for youth for recruitment into the YES Programme
• Identify and prepare youth between the ages of 18-26 for entry into the YES programme
• Identify youth needing accommodation at the Don Bosco Hostel
• Drumming Programme in communities and for YES and WOC youth
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