Darebin
Reservoir East is the most disadvantaged suburb in the Darebin local government area.
There are large numbers of sole parent families, a high unemployment rate, many families living with mental health issues and a high level of drug or alcohol dependency.
Our innovative solutions
East Reservoir Neighbourhood Renewal
As part of the East Reservoir Neighbourhood Renewal project, we have employed aa Employment and Learning Coordinator to:
- Link residents of all ages to employment and learning opportunities;
- Connect education and employment agencies; and
- Identify and act on service and structural issues that affect residents' capacity to participate in employment and learning.
We have also invested in:
- The ‘Youth Ute' project;
- Employment pathways for young people training with the Salvation Army;
- A kitchen garden project; and
- A breakfast club at the local primary school, which provides employment opportunities for local residents as well as a healthy start to the school day for the children.
Darebin Council employment partnership
We are partnering with Darebin Council to place local people in local jobs.
We do this by supporting local residents to get ‘work ready'. We provide crucial pre-employment skills and ensure local TAFE colleges offer training packages that are appropriate to local needs.
Reservoir East Primary School
We are collaborating with the Reservoir East Primary School, Darebin Council, the Salvation Army and Darebin Community Health Centre to:
- Improve the health and wellbeing of the children and their families;
- Increase community connections and participation; and
- Enhance the learning opportunities of the children and their families through a Learning Club, holiday programs, English conversation classes, playgroup and Breakfast Club.
Best Start Reservoir Working Group
Through the ‘Best Start' initiative we are undertaking a feasibility study of an Early Years Hub that will include a preschool, early years services and childcare.
