It is always encouraging to hear stories from schools and organisations that are running the Girls With A Purpose program. Kylie, School Chaplain from James Nash State High School has just sent us a good news story about the programs they are running at their school and I knew immediately that it was worth sharing!

“We have conducted the “Girls with a Purpose” program over the last two years, at James Nash SHS. We have run the program with Yr 9 girls. The program lets young women know how valuable they are and the worth they possess. This is a priceless gift that they can take into the rest of their lives. The weekly sessions provide practical strategies given for healthy living and how to live your life with a purpose.

The manual is easy to use and we adapted the sessions to suit the time we had each week with the girls. The games were fun and the handouts provided important, relevant and beautiful information for the girls to take home and keep. The “Princess Party” was a huge success and all the girls looked forward to it and participated eagerly on the day. It was a very special time.

We know that many thoughts, attitudes, beliefs and behaviours of the girls were challenged and changed throughout the course of the program. An example of this was the session on: I talk with love and forgiveness. We recall the moment as group facilitators, when the revelation of forgiveness swept through the group. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room as the girls realised the power in forgiving the people who had hurt them. This was just one of many powerful times shared with the girls.

The comments on the Program Evaluations totally support how the program changed the girls’ lives. Some of these include: “Amazingly eye opening and attitude changing. Helped me develop new relationships with people.” “It has helped me to forgive.” “It gave me confidence about myself.” “It has made me think about life and the way I can change it.”

We witnessed lives changing before our eyes and would recommend this program for any young women. Beware it is life changing….if you choose!!”

Kylie Read
School Chaplain
James Nash SHS
Gympie

Karin (Kaz) tells the good story about turning her life around as a young mum in crisis.

In a recent report, Gold Coast project Lifehouse revealed that each year more than 200 young mums and their kids are out on the streets, homeless, sleeping in sheds, on couches, in caravans. Tonight there are likely 50 sleeping rough in Gold Coast suburbs.

There’s a shortage of crisis accommodation for young mums and their kids on the Gold Coast.

But a special case was made for Kaz O’Donnell and her babies. This is her story of crisis and redemption.

Click here to hear Kaz’s interview http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2013/01/15/3670047.htm?site=goldcoast

Homeless teen mums in crisis on the Gold Coast

An interview with Ruth Knight: A new report shows at least 200 young mums and their children experience homeless on the Gold Coast each year. Tonight there could be 50 on the streets.

Click here to read Ruth’s interview http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2013/01/15/3670076.htm

Download the Auditors Report 2012 (702KB)

Just a few weeks ago it was the start of a new year, again! This year I really want to tick off a few goals I have, I want to have purpose in my life and I want to show more gratitude.

This is how I am going to live my life in 2013….

1. I’m going to write down what I am grateful for on pieces of paper each time something happens that really makes me smile.  I am going to drop these pieces of paper in a jar and sit down with my family on New Years Eve to open the jar and read all the pieces of paper!

2. I’m going to monitor my time management and make sure that I give myself time to self-care, love others, eat healthy, volunteer and learn.

3. I am going to donate to Lifehouse Project regularly and invest in the lives of teenage girls and young mothers. I know that by supporting Lifehouse Project I am making a difference not only to individuals, but families and my community.

Will you join me this year?

1. Be grateful
2. Manage your time
3. Support Lifehouse Project

If you’d like to know how to donate please click here: http://www.lifehouse.org.au/?product=donate

Wishing you every success in 2013!
Ruth

As you head to bed tonight, spare a thought for dozens of local mums sleeping rough.

Lifehouse Project’s new study has found 200 Gold Coast women experience homelessness every-year – now we’re all being asked to help do something about it.

The report can be viewed here: The housing and support needs of young mothers on the Gold Coast: Statistics and stories

Download the The housing and support needs of young mothers on the Gold Coast: Statistics and stories (1279KB) report here.

This activity helps young people think about the difference between helpful and unhelpful thoughts, feelings and actions.

It helps them learn what and who influences them and how they can challenge unhelpful thoughts and people.

The activity encourages young people to use a support network to help them think, feel and act more positively.

This activity takes 30-60 minutes. You can run it with individuals or groups.

Click here for the instructions and handout

Author: Parizad Bilimoria

Recent data from a large-scale U.S. survey of adolescents—assessing a broad range of mental disorders with in-depth diagnostic interviews reveales that more than one in five U.S. youth aged 13 to 18 is likely to have experienced a mental disorder with severe impairment at some point.

This year, two studies published in the Archives of General Psychiatry have expanded upon the analysis of that survey, known as the National Comorbidity Survey Replication Adolescent Supplement (NCS-A). A major finding, adding to the evidence that mental health problems often start in youth, was that within a 12-month time period, 8% of U.S. teens experienced serious emotional disturbances (SEDs), and just over 40% experienced some sort of mental disorder. Anxiety disorders were most common, followed by behaviour, mood, and substance disorders.
The research suggest that best practices for minimising the impact of mental illness may be similar to those for fighting forest fires: Step in early and prevent escalation.

For the complete article go to:  http://eibalance.com/2012/07/09/mental-illness-in-teens-the-latest-stats-why-they-matter/

Lifehouse Project attended two fantastic Generation Next seminars at Brisbane and on the Gold Coast. We held a Girls With A Purpose competition and 121 people entered!

Congratulations to the winner, Pastor Julie Terry from Harvey Bay Baptist Church! Here is what Julie had to say when she heard she was the winner:
“As a church we have connections with many young people in our community through our youth and schools activities. Many of them are searching for purpose and identity.

The Girls with a Purpose course caught my attention.  We have contact with many young girls who lack confidence, direction and good role models.

This course seems to focus on helping teenage girls build on their self worth and discover a sense of purpose for the lives.

I look forward to receiving the resources with a view to implementing the course in the near future”

To thank everyone for entering Lifehouse Project has decided to offer the other 120 people who entered our competition a special offer of 17% off, if you order before 30th June!!

That means you get the program for just $136.95 (which includes GST)

Order now by going to www.lifehouse.org.au/gwap and entering the code GENNEXT when making your order.

In May 2012 150 very excited girls came along to our Brisbane Princess Party. Their eyes were wide open and many gasped as they were stunned with the beauty and elegance of “Mirra”, our venue in Fortitude Valley.

Every girl had a smile on her face as they joined in activites and had their hair and make-up done. Then the boys arrived to take them to their seats in the ballroom and for the next few hours they were entertained, inspired and challenged by Pat Mesiti, Mia Munroe, Scotty Fields, Eilish Ellen and Jaimie Lee.

It was a night that wont be forgotten easily by the girls who dared to experience The Princess Party. Here is what they said:

How would you rate your experience?

• It was far from ratable, it was a wonderful experience.
• Definitely 10/10! It was amazing and very inspiring.
• I would rate it 10/10 and the best experience I have ever had.
• It was great. I learnt so much about myself. 100 out of 100.
• 10/10. It was such an amazing experience that I will treasure it forever.
• Absolutely breathtaking 100/100 – wait no, off the scale AMAZING!
• 10/10. It was inspirational. I had a great time meeting new girls my age.
• It was; special, luxurious, hopeful, fun, well paced and wonderful.
• A wonderful, moving and beautiful experience. I wish I could come again.
• Amazing. I absolutely loved it. Every girl should have this opportunity.

What was your biggest lesson today?

• I have learnt to live life to the fullest and never give up on anything I do.
• Not to judge people. Believe and love everyone, but most importantly myself.
• To be really grateful for what I have, to not judge, and to believe.
• I am very lucky and wealthy.
• When you think you have bad stuff in your life, there is always someone with bigger stuff.
• To accept what I have to the fullest and that my life is great.
• Always chase your dreams, if you have a dream hold onto it and don’t let go.
• I need to love and respect myself and not feel pressured into anything.
• To believe in your dreams no matter how hard life is.
• No matter who you are or where you come from you can make a difference.

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