From the Grow 2 Be Team …
Our fortnightly program has run really well this year, which encourages a variety of skill development opportunities for our participants. We have welcomed some new faces to Grow 2 Be and we continue to thrive.
We are proud of everyone’s ongoing achievements, some of which are highlighted in this newsletter. Thank you to everyone—support staff and parents.
Intentions and Aspirations …
Management continues to source new work placement opportunities in order to provide a variety of options to our participants. Our certificate II in Animal Care wrapped up this term and we are proud of the dedicated exhibited by the learners to complete their course.
We continue to ensure that everyone has a personalised program suited to their goals which focus on their emerging skills, abilities and interests.
Learner’s License …
We’ve taken some time to learn more about road safety for those who aim to get their learner’s licence. We practice the test online and always look for a reason to talk about road safety, even if we’re just out and about.
Everyone is learning so much, including lifelong skills, boosting confidence, and becoming more aware of road safety – both as a pedestrian and as a future driver.
Building and Construction …
We’ve started a Building and Construction Level One class at Dandenong Community & Learning Centre.
This course will broaden the participants knowledge in relation to tools, safety signs, and other work health and safety concepts. We’ve also learnt about centimetres, millimetres, metres and how to convert between the three. Our last lesson was all about house plans and how to interpret bird’s eye view layouts, as well as how to calculate area and perimeter.
These classes have been so beneficial to improving our math skills as well as working towards our practical knowledge for woodwork. We have been having so much fun, but it’s definitely hard work! It’s so amazing seeing our participants grow their knowledge and start to really understand the finer details of the work they have been doing with Tim and Ian over the past two years. We are so proud of everyone for their determination!
Work Skills Course …
We have started our work skills course this term, where the focus is on employability skills. We have learnt about time management, SMART goals, and prepared our resumes.
It is so important to increase your soft skills while undertaking work experience, which improves on hard skills. We encourage all our participants to get involved in order for them to be employable.
Equine Therapy …
Our participants persist in their transformative journey with Equine Therapy at Jabulani Sanctuary. This unique program focuses on interactions with horses to foster emotional awareness, connecting learned concepts and skills to their practical use in everyday life.
This term, our sessions have emphasized key elements, including conducting comprehensive health assessments, refining communication strategies, mastering emotional release, embracing forgiveness, and cultivating active listening skills. These skills are beneficial not only in the presence of horses but also positively impact various areas of personal development.
Gembrook Wildlife Shelter …
At Gembrook Wildlife Shelter, each week we cherish the opportunity to care for some of Australia’s most captivating wildlife, including wombats, kangaroos, joeys, koalas, and our beloved Evie the Emu. Immersed in their natural habitat, we provide essential support and nurturing.
Through volunteering, we enhance our sense of responsibility, foster compassion, and deepen our connection with nature. By aiding animals in need, we contribute significantly to their well-being.
We tenderly care for fragile infants, ensuring their health and growth. Additionally, we prioritize cleanliness for health and safety, creating a supportive environment for the recovery of sick and injured wildlife.
Jabulani Volunteering …
At Jabulani Sanctuary Counselling, our involvement extends beyond equine therapy to include volunteering for the care of the facility and its animals. Participants engage in activities such as feeding the horses, tidying the hen house, collecting chicken eggs, cleaning the stables, and various other tasks around the property.
These tasks come with specific instructions, particularly regarding feeding and ensuring the horses’ wellbeing, providing an excellent opportunity to hone our critical thinking, problem-solving, and ability to follow instructions.
Volunteering here enables us to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others while also acquiring valuable experience and skills.
Cooking at Lakeside …
Throughout this year, we’ve thoroughly enjoyed preparing a wide variety of dishes from different cuisines. Our culinary journey usually begins with researching a recipe chosen the previous week and checking ingredient prices on the Coles website for budget planning. Participants are tasked with shopping for ingredients, after which we evaluate whether we stayed within budget before starting the cooking process.
We’ve learned to safely use various utensils and appliances, such as knives and graters, as well as a frying pan, air fryer, and pressure cooker.
When everyone returns from their morning of volunteering, they are welcomed by a delicious and warm lunch prepared by our talented chefs of the day.
Wellness Mondays …
During our Wellness Mondays, we are focused on the holistic development of our participants. Our day starts with a trip to the gym to elevate our physical fitness, adopting a well-rounded approach to well-being.
We have been loving YMCA Casey Arc in Narre Warren, and have enjoyed swimming and going to the gym, as well as creating fitness plans with personal trainers and attending Zumba classes. It’s an amazing start to our week!
We also take the time to go out and about our community to play basketball and go for walks around the lake, further increasing our active start to the week. It gives everyone an opportunity to catch up after the weekend, and to get their brains working for the week ahead.
For some of our participants, this active start to the week is great physical therapy, and ensures that they are growing physical strength.
The best start to our week—something useful, practical and fun!
Creative Workshops …
At Emerald Community House we have been participating in creative workshops, including pottery, and glass art classes this term. In pottery, we have made bowls, monster cups and egg cups, and in glass art we learnt how to cut glass and make jewellery.
At Brand New Day we’ve participated woodwork toymaking classes, where we have been making various simple toys out of wood, and learning how to be safe around the equipment.
These activities have proven to be not only enjoyable but also exceptionally creative, providing participants with the opportunity to problem solve while unleashing their inner artistic side. Witnessing these masterpieces come to life each week has been a source of joy for all of us. We eagerly anticipate continuing our creative workshops, where we aim to further refine and showcase our creative talents.
Work Experience at Koo Wee Rup Men’s Shed …
Some participants have chosen to go to Koo Wee Rup Men’s Shed in order to gain work experience cooking lunch for the men there. They have learnt important and necessary information about working in a kitchen, including food safety and correct food handling procedures. They have also learnt how to participate effectively and efficiently in a kitchen, working with a small team to cook and deliver food to a large quantity of people.
Moreover, they have the opportunity to serve the customers too, learning how to handle money and important customer service skills which are essential work and life skills. We have a blast at Koo Wee Rup Men’s Shed, and look forward to the experience each and every week.
Work Experience at Ronald McDonald House Charity Volunteering …
We’ve recently entered into a partnership at Ronald McDonald House Charity, where our volunteering has started by making chocolate chip cookies to be stored and kept at the venue for the families of patients staying at the adjacent Monash Hospital. We are excited to further grow our cooking skills, as we foster our empathy and compassion. It is so important for everyone to remain mindful of those that have fallen on hard times, and we can sometimes lose sight of how fortunate we are. At Grow 2 Be we want to ensure that our participants are mindful of others and compassionate to their situation.
Volunteering at Ronald McDonald House affords our participants the opportunity to think about others and support those who are in desperate need. It is such an amazing opportunity and we look forward to a long and prosperous partnership.
Work Experience at Officer Bakehouse
Paul and Meagan have been doing work experience at Officer Bakehouse, supporting the bakery by refilling bottles and fridges, cleaning dishes, packing away dishes and learning how to make coffees. He has also learnt important skills about work health and safety and how to be hygienic in the kitchen. He’s learning so much about the hospitality industry every time he goes to the Bakehouse. We are so proud of Paul’s dedication and how well he has been completing his work experience. Thank you to Paul and all support staff involved!
Work Experience at Johnny Boys Pizza @ Keysborough …
At Johnny Boys Pizza in Keysborough, our work experience participants have been learning about work health and safety, how to operate certain machinery, best practice in work environments and customer service.
They have had a blast working at the pizza place and have learnt so much. Supporting them in their work skills has been very fruitful, as they have grown immensely during this work experience. Their day usually consists of restocking, folding boxes, making dough, grating cheese and making pizzas—and they have been loving every second of it.
Well done everyone for your perseverance and work ethic!
Out and Fridays …
Each Friday we get out and about in our community, going to movies, museums or participating in other experiences and excursions. We have spent time discussing where we want to go throughout the term, and have already begun planning some of our activities for 2024. Over this term we’ve had some super fun excursions, including going to the: movies, ArtVo, Melbourne Museum, Le Mans Dandenong and the NGV to name but a few.
Ultimately, the most important thing about out and about Fridays is that our participants choose and plan what we do.
Having our Friday’s dedicated to getting out and about means that we have the opportunity to research, price and discuss all the options out there, improving our communication, digital literacy through research and critical thinking skills. There is such a place in our lives for recreation, exploring and learning new things, and being able to get out into the community is crucial for us to live fulfilling lives. In planning what we want to do ahead of time, we have the opportunity to research activities we would enjoy, while also keeping in mind everyone else’s interests.
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