1. Advance – young people and communities working together

2. Department for Victorian Communities (DVC) Our Aim Active, Confident, Resilient Communities Our Focus Community Strengthening Linking Up Services People and Place

3. Advance – young people and communities working together Advance was initiated in 2004 Contributes to the DVC objective “to create communities that encourage participation” Advance is a PARTNERSHIP between schools, community organisations and the Office for Youth Essential elements of Advance are: Young people DO something with their community They do it in PARTNERSHIP with a community organisation; and It includes young people’s CHOICE.

4. Advance Goal To enable young people’s participation and volunteering in community life.

5. Components of Advance There are five key components – the next few slides explain them

6. Learning Module 1 - Community Developing a group behaviour agreement Developing individual goals Identifying current and potential connections between young people and their community Identifying services available for young people Researching youth services Sharing research

7. Learning Module 2 - Communication Reporting Giving & Receiving Feedback Negotiating Problem Solving

8. Learning Module 3 – Project Management Defining the Project / Activities Planning Doing Evaluating Reporting and Celebrating

9. Recognised Training A recognised course will usually: Take about 20 hours; Result in the development of a new skill; Have a certificate awarded at the end of the program; Be delivered away from the school; and Be delivered and or assessed by someone other than school staff.

10. Community Project or Series of Activities A community project or activities could be: Volunteering with an organisation Raising awareness of an issue An event An action REMEMBER Young people must DO something with their ccommunity in PARTNERSHIP with a ccommunity oorganisation which is based on young people’s CHOICE.

11. Recognition and Celebration Can range from informal acknowledgement that occurs within the group to; Formal public events; Incorporated throughout the program rather than only at the conclusion; Link in with promotional opportunities for the young people, school, community organisation(s) or broader community.