Ian Goodenough (Moore, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I wish to recognise the valuable work of a not-for-profit organisation in my electorate, Northern Compassion Incorporated, which runs a life skills mentoring and accommodation support program for young men who are seeking to rebuild their lives. The organisation runs a voluntary residential and personal development program for individuals who have completed rehabilitation programs to enable them to transition back into mainstream society as good citizens. Participants are provided with support and accommodation in a semirural environment to avoid the pitfalls of poor lifestyle choices and negative peer influences that are more readily encountered in an urban setting.

The program is designed to empower young men to take control of their lives, giving them a pathway to employment or education. Participants are encouraged to set personal goals for their future study and workforce participation. They are mentored to acquire essential life skills such as healthy living, managing their finances and conflict resolution, which will assist them with independent living at the completion of the program. The name of the residence is Tenacious House, in recognition of the tenacity required to improve one's life and not to relapse into poor lifestyle choices. Northern Compassion is seeking a combination of community support, government funding and corporate sponsorship to expand its valuable work within our community.