A pilot project funded by Lottterywest and supported by PVS Workfind Halo Unfinished is a career, cultural and personal development support programme working with disengaged mainly Noongar young males aged 15 - 25. 

The overall aim of the programme is to reduce participant's dependence on Government financial assistance, reduce offending and increase their overall sense of wellbeing.

Using a holistic approach the programme aims to address participant’s vocational and non-vocational barriers to employment and deal with issues challenging their social and emotional wellbeing.

Since the project commenced in March 2009 almost no one has re-offended or been re-sentenced to prison, 8 have given up drugs and many others have transitioned into further education includind university and the workforce.

Children's court President Justice Reynolds believes "Halo is setting the way!"

Halo Founder Lee-Anne Smith with Youth Workers and Halo Unfinished Participants

The project provides Flexible and Culturally appropriate opportunities to:

• Strengthen personal capacity and resilience

• Complete an Abstudy/Austudy approved Certificate III in Youth Work

• Combine school and Halo if your are aged 15 or over and have one or more barriers to education (new to 2010)

• Work toward an International Duke of Edinburgh Award Award (new to 2010)

• Increase physical fitness by playing in the Halo Magpies Aussie Rules, Basketball and Cricket teams

• Increase Noongar cultural knowledge and development

• Develop employability, social skills and confidence

• Increase links and support to meaningful employment and local industry

• Increase links to agencies that can address non-vocational barriers

• Receive ongoing mentor support for as long as it is needed

• Make a difference in their communities by providing peer mentor support to young people in conflict with the justice system or in need of personal support

• Strengthen personal capacity by taking part in the delivery of community forums, workshops and networking opportunities

Building a career and life pathway plan

The programme gives participants the opportunity to reflect on what they want in their lives and what they are no longer willing to settle for.

The Certificate III units in Youth Work give participants the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of themselves and how they can affect personal change and make a difference in their lives and that of others.

The Coaching Young People for Success workshops support participants to develop a clearer and more confident picture of the type of life and career pathway they would like to follow and more importantly designs their own personalised plan to get there.

 Noongar Culture 

An essential element of this project is the cultural journey delivered by professional Noongar  facilitators. This component provides participants with cultural awareness, historical context, sense of belonging, ownership and a better understanding of the country they belong to. The lasting benefits are far reaching. Participants develop an understanding of the responsibilities they are required to accept for themselves and for their family, and to recognise their role and place in Noongar culture.

2009 Participants decide to enroll in a Building & Construction Course

 This course was made possible by the generous support of Nigel Williamson of One Steel who generously donated all participant's steel capped boots and funding from PVS Workfind through the Federal Government's Job Network System.

A big thank you to Halo Youth Worker Yianni who has provided transport - Yianni's days have been starting at 6am! Transport is one of the biggest factors that affect Young Peoples ability to access training and employment.

2009 Project Photos