Waltja Remote Reconnect Service

Since 2001 Waltja has been operating a Reconnect Service in four remote communities – Ltyente Apurte (Santa Teresa), Titjikala, Amundurrngu (Mount Liebig) and Papunya.  The service is funded until June 2011.  Waltja Management Committee want a Reconnect-type service to be established in all remote communities to support young people.

Reconnect is a community based early intervention program for young people aged 12 to 18 years who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and their families.  It aims to help young people achieve family reconciliation and improve their level of engagement with work, education, training and the community.

Reconnect provides counselling, mediation, group work and practical support in a culturally and contextually appropriate way.  Waltja Reconnect can provide young people with:

• Personal support.  For example help with Centrelink, school enrolment, court support, family issues, drugs or alcohol or other issues.
• Casework.  For example helping young people to plan out what they need help with and then assisting where possible or referring to specialist services.  Addressing issues that are creating ‘at risk’ behaviours or situations of homelessness.
• Practical support.  For example emergency money for food or second hand clothing, crisis accommodation, transport to town and back.
• Mediation.  For example working with clients families to resolve issues, mediating with schools or work to create an alternative for young people.
• Group work.  For example cultural activities, camps around youth issues, programs to help young people learn living or leadership skills.
• Community events.  For example supporting Blue Light Discos, BBQs, discos and inter-generational activities to build sustainability and reduce ‘at-risk’ behaviours.

We currently employ one team leader and two field workers (full time) who are based in Alice Springs and travel out to communities in addition to having a number of casual community workers to support the project.

Some of the highlights of our Reconnect service over the past year include:

• Young Women’s Personal Development Camp during Youth Week where a group of young women from Titjikala came into Alice Springs to explore further education options, campus tours and courses available to them on community.
• Women’s Health Camp for Western Desert where community women young and old came to Town Bore to participate in workshop sessions around various health concerns.
• Cultural bush trips with younger and older men to go hunting, visit country and share stories.

If you would like more information on the Reconnect service or if you would like to talk to one of our workers you can call (08) 8953 4488 or email reconnect@waltja.org.au