|
In 2002, we initiated Make it Work, an innovative employment and support program for people in contact with the justice system. Make It Workhelped people on bail to gain the life skills, support and resources that they needed to overcome their barriers. The program addressed the full spectrum of each participant’s needs and aspirations, assisting them to find housing, address health issues, detoxify, secure a stable income, reengage in education, gain custody of their children, improve their skills, build confidence and gain employment.
Participants were matched with a trained mentor, who was their personal guide and support, inspiring and motivating them to tackle their challenges, to pursue their goals and to persevere. Mentors provided a positive social connection and role model for family and workplace relationships, demonstrating personal and social responsibility.
In 2005, WISE was successful in gaining funding from the City of Melbourne to develop a radio play based on the life experiences of Make It Work participants. Through workshops, participants developed the Straight2Work play that explored the challenges facing people caught up in the justice system. Participants performed to a live audience and the recorded radio play was later played on local radio stations. In 2006, the Make It Work program was chosen as one of the national winners of the Australian Institute of Criminology’s Australian Crime and Prevention Awards. The awards are designed to recognise good practice in the prevention or reduction of violence and other types of crime in Australia.
Through Make it Work, we aimed to reduce incarceration rates, reduce the community trauma caused by offending and to raise the social and economic participation of people exiting the justice system. The Make it Work program finished in 2006 and saw 336 people on bail engage as voluntary participants. This experience has meant that we have been able to expand our programs for ex-offenders with our Straight4Work program and our Specialist ex-offender program, based at Richmond, Victoria and Penrith, New South Wales. .
“The biggest thing I think I got out of participating in the program was the realisation that only I could make the changes in my life and the Make it Work team certainly made it easier.”
|
|
|
|
•
•
•
•
