To start the year off the team travelled to Coffs Harbour, for their first community signup day at the Local Aboriginal Lands Council.
Special guest and local Member of Parliament, the Honourable Gurmesh Singh, showed his support for the program.
“It’s great to see all of these services under the one roof here today, and coming out to communities where people are, will really help people go a long way,” he said.
“Having a birth certificate and a driver’s licence, and support to find employment can completely transform your life, especially in regional areas.”
The Momentum Program is available to anyone who identifies as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and/or accepted by the community in which they live including but not limited to a partner or child in the care of a person who identifies and is 16 -55 years of age who doesn’t have a birth certificate, driver’s licence, and is currently unemployed.
Participants are supported through the application process of applying for a birth certificate, before moving into M Week where they are supported to gain their driver’s licence. Once the participants have completed the first two stages of the program they are then supported to secure employment in their local area.
Terry’s experience with Momentum
Terry from Coffs Harbour is one of the Momentum Program newest participants. Terry signed up in February, and said that he was pleased to be a part of the program.
Not having a birth certificate has been a real setback, Terry explains. While applying for his birth certificate, he said:
I’ve been wanting to get my licence and hasn’t been able to apply without having my birth certificate
Terry is looking forwards to M week to apply for his licence and will be seeking part time employment in Coffs Harbour once he has successfully completed the momentum program.
Participants are supported through the application process of applying for a birth certificate, before moving into M Week where they are supported to gain their driver’s licence. Once the participants have completed the first two stages of the program they are then supported to secure employment in their local area.
Momentum program next signup events
The program is proving to be life-changing for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have participated in the program.
The Momentum Program will now move on to Grafton in March with two signup events planned. The first event will be held on the 14 March at Gurehlgam Corporation, 18 – 26 Victoria street (9:00am – 3:00pm).
The second event will be held on the 15 March at South Grafton Aboriginal Land Council, 50 Wharf Street South Grafton for a half a day (10:00am – 2:00pm).
The Momentum Program is funded by the NSW Government and delivered by Real Futures in partnership with Pathfinders and ACE Community Colleges
