Doxa supports youth of Geelong with launch of Future Focus program across secondary schools
The experiences of students and the progress of their learning are critical considerations when children move from primary to secondary school.
For Victorian not-for-profit youth organisation, Doxa, this is an important aspect of a young person’s life and will be made easier for the youth of Geelong when the Future Focus transitional program launches across a number of secondary schools in May.
Off the back of successful Future Focus campaigns in metro Melbourne schools, Doxa will launch the program across multiple Geelong schools this month.
According to data released in 2015, Geelong students live in some of the most disadvantaged Victorian suburbs when it comes to education, literacy and numeracy, unskilled work, long-term unemployment, and juvenile offending[1]
Responding to the shortage of early secondary school programs for vulnerable students in Geelong, Future Focus is a two-year program for students in year seven and eight that offers support in transitioning from primary to secondary school through personal, study, and leadership skills.
Adopted by Geelong High School, Northern Bay College, Bellarine Secondary College and Newcomb Secondary College students, the program will also provide knowledge and skills to cope with more sensitive issues such as bullying, peer pressure, drugs, alcohol, stress, and mental health issues.
“With school retention rates for regional Victorian students approximately 20% lower than their metropolitan counterparts and Geelong youth living in some of the most disadvantaged suburbs when it comes to education, we knew we needed to do more to help develop life skills and combat disadvantage here in Geelong,” Said Steve Clifford, Doxa’s Chief Executive Officer
As part of the Future Focus program, students will also participate in a residential weekend at Doxa’s camp in Malmsbury and four half-day in-school leadership workshops, culminating in a certificate and awards night at the end of each year.
Since the organisation was established in 1972, Doxa has supported thousands of disadvantaged youth throughout Victoria, ensuring all young people have access to positive life experiences, education opportunities and employment pathways.
“We want to support all young people in making positive decisions in their lives. Whether that’s staying in education or entering into a vocational pathway, the most important part is that these young people are engaged, connected and become decision makers for their future,” said Steve Clifford.
The Geelong Future Focus program is funded by Give Where You Live Geelong and the Perpetual Trust.
About Doxa
Doxa is a Victorian not-for-profit organisation that provides programs for disadvantaged young people so that they can access positive life experiences, education opportunities and employment pathways. Doxa has been around since 1972 and their programs support over 7,300 young Victorians – typically aged eight to 24 years old – each year. Every young person they interact with has a different set of life circumstances. Doxa’s aim is to ensure that all young people enjoy enriching experiences and educational opportunity and advancement.
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For media enquiries on behalf of Doxa, please contact
Progressive PR & Communications
03 9696 6417
Darren Saffin / Jodie Artis
0411 089 209 / 0414 699 186
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[1] Dropping off the Edge: Jesuit Social Services: 2015
