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In July 1981, upon his death, the proceeds of Mr John Connor’s estate created a charitable trust of which Centrecare was the beneficiary.  It was his wish that the funds be used for young people leaving care to assist then transitioning to independent living.

The fund has now been renamed and relaunched as the Centrecare Youth Fund.

To be eligible for a grant of up to $1,000, a young person should be

• aged 15-18 years; and
• have been in out of home care and transitioning to independence.

All the information is now available on the Centrecare website and once received, applications are reviewed by the Director and submitted to the Board for approval.

Centrecare won’t give cash grants and prefer to assist with the purchase of goods and services for recipients to ensure they receive maximum benefit.  The funds can be used in a variety of ways including:

• Vacuum cleaners, washing machines, televisions.
• Irons, kettles, toasters, and various kitchen appliances.
• Bedding, pillows, quilts, blankets, towels
• Cutlery, crockery, pots, frypan.
• Bond for University accommodation and rent assistance for two months.
• Dining suites, beds, and mattresses.
• Laptops for young people going to study at University and TAFE.
• Electrical work on a granny flat to allow a foster child to remain with the family but retain their independence.
• Connection charges for moving into residential accommodation

If you would like to know more, please contact Carolyn Vitek at Centrecare on 08 9325 6644 or cvitek@centrecare.com.au

Sortli (short for Sort your life) is a free App designed by young people for young people to help navigate their transition from out-of-home care to independence.  It helps to guide them and provides links to support to local services in areas such as housing, employment, health, money and more.

The app is funded by the Department and is managed by the CREATE foundation.  Updates are strongly driven by the perspectives of young people who use and need the app.  Recent new features allow young people to create their own goals, get the help they need on their phone and work towards the future they dream.  To find out more head to our Resources page.

The Department of Communities, Child Protection & Family Support Division, is proud to introduce its new myView app for young people in care.  

The app was developed in collaboration with young people in care and in response to their feedback that this kind of option would provide them with an accessible and effective way to get information, stay safe and communicate with case managers using technology in a safe and friendly environment.  They can also raise worries, concerns or complaints, and there is a My Story section where young people can securely store photos and entries about important events in their lives.

The adults surrounding young people will play a major role in encouraging them to use this new pathway and to speak up about the things that are important to them.  So the support and encouragement of carers, families and community sector organisations is pivotal and will be very much appreciated.
 
Any queries or concerns can be raised with Judith Garsed, Advocate for Children in Care on 0429 086 508 or at Judith.garsed@communities.wa.gov.au

The Bright Tomorrows app gives parents and carers the tools they need to help build and develop their children’s brains and to help them be healthy, happy kids.

Developed by child health experts, the tips or brain building ‘moments’ in the app are tailored to you and your child, easily fitting into your everyday life.

For more information, visit brightomorrows.org.au.

Download the app by searching for Bright Tomorrows in the App Store or Google Play Store. Personalise the app to your family’s unique needs, try out the moments suggested especially for you and have fun using these moments with your family!