Feel Good Stories
Tash first came to the attention of Project Youth when she was in Year 11. After a family breakdown, Tash faced homelessness and needed somewhere safe to stay. For two years, Tash lived in Project Youth housing, a safe home which gave her the stability she needed to complete her HSC. She then moved into private rental, equipped with the skills she needed to manage a budget and live independently. Tash completed her Certificate II in Hospitality with the help of Project Youth, and was enrolled into our Labour Y program. Tash’s warm personality and her excellent people’s skills shone through, and she was soon snapped up by the Shangri La Hotel, one of Labour Y’s fantastic partners. As you can imagine, Tash excelled in her role, which paved the way for many young people to follow in her footsteps. Her manager at the time beamed with pride as he told the Labour Y team that Tash had ‘changed the face of the front foyer with her bubbly personality and enthusiasm’. Unfortunately, after 6 months at the Shangri La, COVID hit. Nonetheless, Tash’s spirits stayed high, and Project Youth supported her to access online courses to add to her resume. As the COVID storm subsided, a full-time job came up at Cafe Y. Tash is enjoying this new role, thriving in the busy Café environment. She especially loves training and mentoring other young people doing work experience at Café Y. Tash told us that she loves helping other young people to have a better future. It’s safe to say that Café Y’s customers adore Tash, a ‘delightful waitress with just the right balance of friendliness and efficiency’, one customer wrote, ‘she was amazing, so welcoming and attentive’. The popularity of our community café is testament to Tash’s glowing personality and contagious smile. We’re so proud to have played a small part in your journey, Tash - thank you for brightening up our café much more than any amount of pop-art ever could.
“I had no confidence, especially at work, because I had been treated badly by other employers. I have trouble talking to people and being able to stay in a job because of a disability. I also really wanted to go to university but I thought this was impossible and I didn’t know how to apply. At Café Y I got the opportunity to work in a café with customers which really helped me. I learned lots of skills and even ran the whole café sometimes which was a great experience. I worked at Café Y for 12 months and got a certificate in hospitality. I now have great work experience and a qualification. This was life changing for me as I was then able to apply for and attend a university degree to further my education.” – Jack, 22 Years Old
In 2017, The Shangri-La Hotel, with Phillippe at the head, chose Project Youth to be their Embrace Partner. We felt instantly welcomed into the wonderful world of a 5* hotel and all the fantastic employment opportunities that it offers young people. Since then, the Shangri-La team have gone above and beyond to support Project Youth, so it is with great pleasure that we feature Phillippe in our first ‘Supporter Spotlight’. At the partnership’s inception, we began putting young people forward for vacant positions at the Shangri-La, supporting them through the application and interview process. The warm and welcoming staff at the hotel made applicants feel at ease, and our first young person, Leah, started working at the Shangri-La in 2017. Phillippe was present at Leah’s induction to welcome her to the hotel, and instantly made her feel like part of the team. Leah’s induction coincided with the hotel’s cake competition, which Project Youth were invited to join. We felt excited and proud to be introduced to Philippe’s network as friends and partners of the Shangri-La, and our cake even won first place. Thanks to the Shangri La team, Leah has been able to learn and grow, and has gone from strength to strength in her role. She also set a fantastic precedent for the talent of our young people, and before long, the hotel invited others to trial. To date, the Shangri-La has welcomed 5 young people into their hospitality team, and 3 of these now work permanently on the Shangri-La’s books. One of the highlights of our partnership so far has been the ‘Retreat Day’. Philippe and his team organised for 25 young people to attend a day of work experience workshops at the hotel, learning about the various employment opportunities the Shangri-La could offer. They made delicious cakes, and an amazing Mocktail called ‘The Project Youth’. We were able to check out the engineering area, and had loads of fun in a ‘Make the Bed’ challenge with the cleaning staff. We were also invited to participate in the All Staff Meeting, where we learnt about the running of the hotel, and could ask questions. The highlight of the day was when Phillippe and his team chatted with our young people over lunch, making them feel at ease – one young person said they felt “pretty special that the big boss had time for them”. At the end of the day, our young people left with new skills, and with a new enthusiasm for the chance to work at such an amazing establishment, as part of such a warm and welcoming team. The Shangri-La team always make Project Youth (staff and young people) feel very welcome at the hotel, extending an invitation to many amazing events such as the opening of the Christmas gingerbread structure. These events are an opportunity for young people to meet the team and make a good impression, but also for PY staff to network, and spread the word about the work Project Youth do as a not-for-profit. The Shangri-La team have changed the lives of many young people by opening their doors to Labour Y’s young people. Many of Project Youth’s young people have faced disadvantage, and are seeking employment as a way to start a new life, get independence, and determine their own future. We have noticed that employment does not just give young people an income, but leads to a sense of belonging, a reduction in risk taking behaviours, improvements in housing, better family connections, improvements in overall health and an interest in engaging in further education and training. Philippe and his team help young people to reach for the stars and discover their true potential. Project Youth strive to create a future where all young people can thrive, no matter the disadvantage they face. Philippe and his team have gone above and beyond to make this a reality at the Shangri-La. We are so grateful.
Another young person needs your help – donate today
Project Youth helps young people deal with and get through difficult situations.
Project Youth acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we work. We acknowledge that this always was and always will be Aboriginal land and we pay our respects to Elders past, present & future.
