The aim of the HIP (Hope, Identity, Purpose) program is to assist and prepare the adolescent for adulthood, as it is during this stage of life they make preliminary decisions about their vocational goals, personal sense of identity and learn to manage their own sexuality. Risky behaviour is often noted during this stage as the adolescent begins to develop increased maturity. The program is run in groups which involves discussion amongst the teenagers. This can assist them by lessening feelings of isolation, increasing practical knowledge,  sustaining coping efforts, contributing greatly to empowerment, and improving self-esteem. To run a HIP program at your school or community group please contact Lyn Baird at our office.

Some comments from previous students about the HIP program includes;

Helped with friendships (80%), Gained confidence (70%), Felt welcomed and not judged, Learned new ways to handle bad situations, Wasn’t told what to do, Got to think about the issues which is good, Enjoyed sense of belonging, Loved group, Would like to come again, Helped with my stress, Could find a way out, Got to know myself, Was good to talk about problems at home, It’s great, Everyone should do this course, Awesome!, FUN!

The ALF (Adventurous Legal Fun) Program targets 13 -15yr old boys and are either referred or voluntarily enrol. The program includes activities such as Go karts, Fishing, Footy, Soccer, Tribal games, and Skirmish.

Those involved benefit from meeting other young men their age with similar interests and are able to socialise and have Adventurous Legal Fun, along with having access to male mentors. Through team games, skill development and training in a socially accepted environment allowed for discussion of the common law and the need to respect people, property and self. 

The main motto is embedded in all activities, “Respect for People, Property and SELF.” The activities provide a forum to teach what this entailed and how to implement that in their daily lives. The participants learn better ways to communicate with one another and how to deal with peer pressure. They also learn new ways to seek entertainment and how to maintain friendships.

To be involved in the ALF Program please contact Andrew at our office or visit the ALF Myspace on

The MAX (Mentoring Adolescent Males) Program is for the partners of our EMMA Program girls.  This group enables the partners to participate, learn about the care of a child and access other assistance. The group not only provides valuable tools regarding child care but enables the partners to form strong social networks with others their age in the same situation. Other ways the MAX program helps is;

• Providing practical support to them in the critical life event of preparing for the birth of a child and becoming a parent
• Linking the young father to a Mentoring Program where trained volunteer mentors provide parenting support and guidance after the birth of the child
• Providing a case management service to resource and support the young family
• Providing skills for the Future: Numeracy and Literacy course to re-engage the young father with education to support and develop further educational, training and employment options.

The EMMA Program is all about educating and empowering young women to provide a better future for their children and themselves. The program includes Provision of parenting and life skill education that welcomes and supports pregnant and parenting students, Access to several educational options, Access to safe and flexible babysitting to facilitate flexible education attendance and Case management for mother and baby. For more information please go to our Emma area.