” The resilience of one impacts the resilience of another. “
Youth Resilience Initiative
The resilience of one impacts the resilience of another
The Youth Resilience Initiative is an integrated systems-wide approach to supporting youth in their transitions from alternative care.
The initiative works at three levels. Firstly, we collaborate with youth in their transitions from alternative care. Secondly, we provide training, consultation, and supportive environments to strengthen them in ways organizations build resilience with young people. And thirdly, we influence policy and legislation to ensure that transitional support and after-care services are strengthened in the child protection and youth sectors.
voices of participants:
ProSeed Transitional Support
The ProSeed transitional support programme collaborates with youth in their transition from Alternative Care at 18. During the three-year process, youth gain access to individual mentoring, experiential group sessions, internships, practical support, and a youth network.
We create opportunities that build on their existing strengths, enhance their resilience, and creates a network of support that helps them navigate the many other transitions they face in their late teenage years and early twenties. Even though the programme runs over a three-year period, we remain a continued source of support and opportunity for youth throughout their twenties.
Over 80% youth remain engaged in further education, training, and employment.
voices of participants:
ProSeed Transitional Support
The ProSeed transitional support programme collaborates with youth in their transition from Alternative Care at 18. During the three-year process, youth gain access to individual mentoring, experiential group sessions, internships, practical support, and a youth network.
We create opportunities that build on their existing strengths, enhance their resilience, and creates a network of support that helps them navigate the many other transitions they face in their late teenage years and early twenties. Even though the programme runs over a three-year period, we remain a continued source of support and opportunity for youth throughout their twenties.
Over 80% youth remain engaged in further education, training, and employment.
voices of participants:
Building Bridges
Everybody needs a space where they can be listened to and supported with the challenges they face. Building Bridges is a youth-led forum that provides young people with migration backgrounds a safe space to discuss and explore challenges they face in navigating issues of identity, belonging, and resilience. It is a space where youth get to inspire each other, build resilience, and experience a sense of community.
voices of participants:
Youth Change Makers
The Change Makers are a network of youth leaders advocating for systemic change in the alternative care sector. Mamelani works in partnership with the Change Makers to shift policies and practices that impact the future outcomes of youth in alternative care.
They receive access to ongoing coaching, resources, and opportunities to ensure they are equipped with the necessary support needed to bring about lasting change in the alternative care and youth sectors.
In 2021, the Change Makers delivered an oral submission to parliament advocating for transitional support programmes to be made mandatory within the Children’s Act.
voices of participants:
Youth Change Makers
The Change Makers are a network of youth leaders advocating for systemic change in the alternative care sector. Mamelani works in partnership with the Change Makers to shift policies and practices that impact the future outcomes of youth in alternative care.
They receive access to ongoing coaching, resources, and opportunities to ensure they are equipped with the necessary support needed to bring about lasting change in the alternative care and youth sectors.
In 2021, the Change Makers delivered an oral submission to parliament advocating for transitional support programmes to be made mandatory within the Children’s Act.
voices of participants:
Building resilience in the alternative care and youth development sector
We build resilience in the alternative care and youth development sector by co-creating the conditions that will enable youth to take greater control over their lives. We do this in several ways.
Our training and consultation services work alongside practitioners and organisations in developing transitional support and after care services in ways that promote well-being, build resilience, and create a sense of community.
Our Talking Transitions dialogues is a space where practitioners come together. They discuss issues most affecting youth and explore creative ways to addressing these challenges. It also serves as a space where organisations can share their experiences and gain support. We invite youth to join us in these consultations and workshops so they can be part of shaping the environments young people grow in.
voices of participants:
Influencing policy and legislation
Mamelani has played a leading role in advocating for transitional support in the country. Our integrated lobbying and advocacy strategy ensures that the issues affecting young people in their transitions from Alternative Care are addressed through all our initiatives at different levels.
We influence the sector in our role as members of the National Child Care Protection Forum (NCCP) and National Association of Child and Youth Care Workers (NACCW), and through our partnership the Department of Social Development.
We also contribute to both local and international journals and ensure that young people’s voices are connected to platforms where they can shape the practices, policies, and legislation most affecting their future.
Impact
In 2019 the national government adopted the National Child Care and Protection policy and recognised transitional support as part of a set of essential responsive and protective services. This a huge achievement for our advocacy work!
In 2020 the guidelines for Independent Living Programmes were approved by the National Department of Social Development. Mamelani has been part of this process and we are excited about this development.
voices of participants:
Influencing policy and legislation
Mamelani has played a leading role in advocating for transitional support in the country. Our integrated lobbying and advocacy strategy ensures that the issues affecting young people in their transitions from Alternative Care are addressed through all our initiatives at different levels.
We influence the sector in our role as members of the National Child Care Protection Forum (NCCP) and National Association of Child and Youth Care Workers (NACCW), and through our partnership the Department of Social Development.
We also contribute to both local and international journals and ensure that young people’s voices are connected to platforms where they can shape the practices, policies, and legislation most affecting their future.
Impact
In 2019 the national government adopted the National Child Care and Protection policy and recognised transitional support as part of a set of essential responsive and protective services. This a huge achievement for our advocacy work!
In 2020 the guidelines for Independent Living Programmes were approved by the National Department of Social Development. Mamelani has been part of this process and we are excited about this development.
voices of participants:
