By KATRINA BRANDON
KURNAI Young Parents Program (KYPP) participated in Cancer Council’s Biggest Morning Tea last month.
Unlike most groups, the KYPP hosted an afternoon tea, where KYPP students participated in creating a grand sweet treat for teachers from each of the school’s campuses.
KYPP leader Angela Bolding told the Express, “We decided to do an afternoon tea for the Kurnai staff to raise money for the Cancer Council.”
“One of the really important things about the Kurnai Young Parents Program is to give back to community and to support really good causes, and it really gives them a chance, also to do with catering skills as well, and also to show people doing and, in this case, showing the staff what the Kurnai Young Parents Program is up to.”
KYPP is an educational program that provides a safe and adaptable learning path for individuals balancing the challenges of parenthood and school completion. The program offers young people with a family or who are pregnant, between the ages of 14 and 21, the chance to achieve their Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC) or Victorian Education Certificate – Vocational Major (VCE-VM).
The program also aims to equip students with essential literacy and numeracy skills, develop a pathway for further education, employment, or career development, foster friendships with other young parents, and build self-esteem and confidence.
From sweets to nutritious meals, students at KYPP participate in hospitality once a week, exploring different foods.
“For this one, this has been preparation for about the last four or five weeks,” Ms Bolding said.
“They learn to cook a range of different things. Today, we made scones, cupcakes, and slices. Another thing they get to do is work with each other and plan an event.”
Throughout the year, students also prepare for other fundraisers, such as Movember, and participate in local community events, including the Latrobe City Children’s Expo.
Over the years, Ms Boulding said she has seen growth in the majority of her students who have completed the program.
“The really cool thing is seeing girls that have been isolated in the community and feeling like they are a marginalised group,” she said.
“To see them come in and actually be a part of something, and to gain confidence and to become more empowered as a young person, to make good decisions. You see that that’s an ongoing thing all the time.
“I’d just like to add that there’s so much potential in our young people. And just to give them the opportunity to find that potential is so important. And then, better things happen for everybody.”
