Australian Kookaburra Kids soar to new heights

The Taking Flight program launched earlier this month is aimed specifically at those Kookaburra Kids transitioning from school into tertiary study or the workforce, but who still need support to navigate to becoming independent adults.

The Kookaburra Kids supports school aged children living in families affected by mental illness by providing recreational and educational camps throughout the school holidays.

PAYCE has been supporting the Sutherland Shire based organisation since 2015 as a strategic partner, pledging $250,000 over five years and has now donated an additional $25,000 towards the Taking Flight program.

The program provides:

• The opportunity to work with an experienced coach to develop an integrated approach to career planning that supports the individual’s situation, interests and values
• Job placement opportunities to educate and build capacity to get full-time employment
• Guidance on suitable tertiary courses
• Mentoring support with on-going professional and emotional guidance, and
• Fundamental skills development opportunities to stay in front of work/study challenges.

PAYCE Director Dominic Sullivan said the new program was a very worthy initiative and the company was proud to support the new program.

“Taking Flight really is a great new and perfectly targeted service,” he said.

“Not all Kookaburra Kids have the confidence or family support to access resources to make the best decisions on their tertiary education and employment choices.”

Mr Sullivan said PAYCE was committed to helping grass-roots organisations that make a difference.

“The circumstances that Kookaburra Kids find themselves in are beyond their control and the work of the team really does help these young people towards a bright future,” he said.

“Every child deserves to reach their full potential and that can only be achieved with the right guidance and support.

“I am sure many of them will go on to make big contributions to the community,” Mr Sullivan said.