Origin greats help young people get ahead

The Former Origin Greats (FOGS) have added to their impressive legacy in Mt Isa by donating five thousand dollars to a leading local charity, Young People Ahead.

Having just completed a visit to Mt Isa to stage their annual Indigenous Employment and Careers Expo, which attracted a record-breaking 1000 school leavers and job seekers, FOGS have reinforced their commitment to the region by supporting one of the town’s most important charities.

Young People Ahead (YPA) has been providing services to Mt Isa youth since 1983 and supports locals aged 12 to 25 through their three flagship programs; the Bail Support Program, the Volatile Substance Misuse Program and the Youth Housing and Reintegration Service.

YPA attributes its success to the use of creative and flexible approaches to supporting young people as they make positive steps towards progressive, more enriched futures. YPA Manager, Alvin Hava, says that the support from FOGS will be put to very good use.

“We rely on external funding to continue delivering our services to the youth of Mt Isa. The donation from FOGS will be put directly into our programs and will make a real difference.

“It’s fantastic that FOGS have once again demonstrated their commitment to helping Indigenous youth in Mt Isa. The expo and this donation provide a real boost for services and locals in the area.”

For FOGS Executive Chairman, Gene Miles, the donation represents another step in his organisations’ efforts towards closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous students and school leavers.

“Helping Indigenous communities right around Queensland is at the heart of our operations at FOGS and we’re committed to playing our part in closing the gap in each town we visit.

“Our donation to Young People Ahead is significant and is something we’re delighted to contribute to as they play a vital role in turning lives around for young people at risk.

“This year’s Indigenous Employment and Careers Expo in Mt Isa was by far the most successful event we’ve held in the town. The support from everyone in the region was fantastic and we couldn’t have achieved this success without them.”