Oliver McInnes and Mia Rehberg-Edgar are just two of the many young faces whose lives have taken a different path thanks to Caboolture’s Youth Justice Education Training (YJET) program.
YJET is an alternative education program to support young people to stay engaged with education to improve their literacy and numeracy and transition to further training or employment. The flexible education program, part of Lutheran Services’ not-for-profit Intercept Youth and Family Program, helps young people who have become disengaged with mainstream education to complete years 9 and 10.
YJET celebrated its 20th anniversary and the hard work of its 2024 cohort at a graduation ceremony back in December. Along with being 2024 program graduates, Oliver and Mia were the 2024 YJET bursary awardees, each receiving $500 towards further education, training or employment expenses.
Support, Confidence, and Success: The YJET Impact
For Oliver, YJET has created an opportunity for him to go on and finish his senior studies at a community college this year.
“YJET helped me to finish Year 10,” Oliver said. “I received lots of support, more than I would have in a mainstream school. The staff here are also pretty cool. They inspired us to learn and to reach our potential.”
For fellow bursary awardee, Mia, YJET has given her renewed confidence in herself and future pursuits.
“The YJET team encouraged and helped me and they never give up on a student,” she said. “I learned lots of new things, but the most important thing I learned was that I can do it and it’s ok to be myself.
“It’s such a welcoming, warm place, filled with laughter, joy and fun. I’ve made so many friends.”
Over the years, the YJET program has supported more than 600 graduates, many of whom have gone on to lead successful, productive lives.
“We have many remarkable stories of the unwavering spirit of young people – each with their own unique journey, dreams and challenges,” Intercept program officer Teena Ryder said.
“Every participant has a personal story of resilience, growth and courage to overcome adversity. We share their laughter, tears and triumph.”
The Lutheran Services program is supported by funding partners Caboolture Youth Justice and Queensland Department of Education. YJET’s partner schools are Caboolture, Tullawong and Morayfield state high schools and its placement student partners include the University of Sunshine Coast, Queensland University of Technology and TAFE Queensland.
For more information visit The Lutheran Services.
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