Break Through Youth Employment Mentoring has been affecting change in the lives of local youth since launching in Campbelltown/Macarthur in March 2007.  Break Through aims to build the skills sets of young people to assist them to realize their employment goals.  This is done through building a 1:1 mentoring relationship with a locally employed person, who is able to use their contemporary knowledge and experience of the workforce to support the young person.

Break Through was invited to attend the Minto Employment Working Group in September 2007 by Gloria Bates of MTC Work Solutions.  This was an opportunity to work closely with those other services working in the area to improve employment outcomes for the residents of Minto.  Not only were services represented, but industry as well; showing their interest to improving the community.

Unilever/Streets are one of the largest employers in the area and are represented on this working group.  They value community involvement and desire to give back to the community in which they operate.  They also believe that the Minto population has skills that could benefit their organization.

Unilever/Streets were actively seeking a program that would offer their employees the opportunity to work directly within the local community.  Break Through was able to offer an option that allowed them to play an active role in empowering youth from the area to strive for their employment goals and learn the skills needed to succeed.  

Currently, Break Through is running its third TAFE Mentoring in the Community course, which is being hosted by Unilever/Streets at their Minto plant.   Not only have they offered to have the course onsite, but have seven employees committed to being a mentor.  This is a commitment that goes above and beyond what is expected from supporting businesses.

Unilever/Streets are one of four businesses committed to this round of training.  Break Through would like to acknowledge the valued and continued support of Camden Council, National Australia Bank and St. George Bank.

It is only by working together to building strong community networks and business relationships that it’s possible to impart change in the lives of the young people and, in turn, a lasting impact on the community as a whole.