What we do
Our approach is unique. We mentor Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people to ensure they gain the education, skills, and life experiences they need to unlock their full potential. Our program includes learning support, life skills training, cultural connections, career guidance, and financial assistance.
Our goals are…
Short-term
Ganbina empowers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people to achieve their full potential and thus live rewarding, fulfilling and independent lives.
Medium-term
Ganbina graduates act as powerful ‘Agents of Change’ in their own communities. They inspire and lead their families, friends, and communities to unlock their potential through education, training, and employment.
Long-term
Education, employment and training become widespread in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. As a result, our young people achieve true social and economic equality with all other Australians.
Purpose and Vision
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Our Approach
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Our History
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Sharing the Model
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Our People
Learn MoreWhy we do what we do
It is a fact that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people in Australia are severely disadvantaged.
Many come from family backgrounds where long-term generational unemployment and welfare dependency are common. As a result, most lack positive role models and the support they need to show them how to create a better future for themselves.
The facts are:
- 43 % of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander first-year primary school children have limited motor skills, poor social and communications skills or limited basic literacy and numeracy skills (vs 21 % of non-Indigenous children).
- 38.5 % of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children do not achieve Year 12 or its equivalent (vs. 13.6 % of non-Indigenous children).
- 60 % of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth aged 17-24 are not engaged in post-school education, training or employment (vs. 25 % of non-Indigenous youth).
Source: Closing the Gap Report 2020
Ganbina empowers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people with the skills they need to achieve their full potential and live fulfilling, independent lives.
How we do it
Ganbina’s school-to-work transition program is called Jobs4U2. It is delivered by a team of trained mentors who support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people from 5 to 25 years old throughout their crucial formative years.
Elements of the program include:
Primary School Support (5-12 years)
Establishing relationships with young children and their families, private tutoring and coaching.
Jobs4U2 Education (6-18 years)
Helping children understand why education is important, exploring different career options, work experience opportunities, and industry tours.
Jobs4U2 Employment (15+ years)
Securing jobs of choice, further training for career advancement, and long-term career planning.
Jobs4U2 Training (16-25 years)
Consolidating career choices, traineeships or tertiary training, and networking with potential employers.
Life Skills (5-25 years)
Leadership training, professional driving tuition, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural knowledge.
Scholarships (5-25 years)
Primary, secondary and tertiary scholarships and work-related expenses grants.
Youth Achievement Awards (12-18 years)
Annual awards recognising individual achievements in education, employment and training.
Proven methodology
Ganbina’s unique methodology to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people to achieve their full potential has proven successful where others have failed.
This is because we are the only organisation in Australia to mentor young people for 21 consecutive years throughout their crucial developmental years. This long term, sustained guidance supports them, every step of the way, to take full advantage of the wonderful education, training and career opportunities that are open to all Australians.
Our methodology is a genuine ‘Hand Up’ rather than ‘Hand Out’ approach. It is represented graphically by our logo of two hands reaching out to help one another, circled by the rising sun which symbolises the dawning of new opportunities in life.
Ganbina also works closely with our participants’ families, primary and secondary school teachers, vocational training organisations, universities, businesses and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups. These close partnerships enable us to create unique learning and development experiences for the children enrolled on our program.
“You have only to meet young people on the Ganbina program to see success in action. They focus on learning as a stepping stone to a successful career pathway.”
Helen Liondos Manager, AMP Foundation
