OPTUS GRANT HELPS REDFERN YOUTH RECONNECT WITH LINGO FROM THE BLOCK

Redfern’s Augustinian Volunteers Australia will celebrate the success of its inaugural “Lingo from the Block” project this Friday 15 March, made possible by $8,760 in funding from the ‘yes’ Optus Community Grants program. The Optus funding supports the development of an electronic colloquial language guide specific to Redfern’s indigenous community, helping reconnect young people with their traditional languages.

Augustinian Volunteers Australia is a not-for-profit organisation working with indigenous young people who are disengaged with the formal education system. The “Lingo from the Block” project uses volunteer mentors to assist in teaching, along with Optus-funded iPads for the students to collect words, phrases and terms from local Redfern elders and families to input into a digital compendium to present and share in class.

Paul Wilson, Executive Officer Justice and Peace at Augustinians Volunteers Australia, said, “The ‘yes’ Optus Community Grants program is helping us encourage Redfern’s young people to learn more about their traditional culture and re-engage with their education. Already we’re starting to see an improvement with more kids participating in the program, we hope to see this result in better employment opportunities down the track.”

Helen Maisano, Associate Director, Corporate Social Responsibility at Optus said, “We are delighted the “Lingo from the Block” project is helping disengaged young people overcome learning barriers by reconnecting them with their traditional languages. Optus sees a real community benefit in investing in Augustinians Volunteers Australia which is giving the young people of Redfern’s a voice and opportunity to reach their full potential in life.”

The annual ‘yes’ Optus Connecting Communities Grants program awards funding of up to $10,000 to not-for-profit organisations that help to build social inclusion and reconnect disengaged youth in communities. Since 2008, Optus has awarded $880,000 in grants to 165 community organisations across Australia.

Paul Wilson and participants of the “Lingo from the Block” program will be at National Centre of Indigenous Excellence this Friday to showcase aspects of the program and the factors that have led to its success.

MEDIA EVENT:
WHEN: Friday 15 March 7.30-8.30am
WHERE: National Centre of Indigenous Excellence, 166-180 George Street, Redfern
WHY: Overview of Redfern’s inaugural “Lingo from the Block” program and a chance to interview participants
ATTENDING: Paul Wilson, Executive Officer Justice and Peace at Augustinians, Augustinians volunteers, Tony Hudson, Augustinians Volunteers Chairman/Optus Manager and participants of the “Lingo from the Block” program.

About Optus in the Community: For more information on the ‘yes’ Optus Community Grants program please visit: Community Grants

Media Contact:
Julia Clarke
Fuel Communications
(02) 8217 6505