GIANTS’ captains and players have gathered to show their support for young people from Ladder’s Step Up Western Sydney program who have developed and unveiled an inspiring community art project at the WestConnex Centre.

The project was completed over a 6-month period by young people from western Sydney who have experienced out-of-home care and are being supported to connect with the community, improve their health and wellbeing and connect with education, employment and training. 

Ladder program participant, Mark said that being involved in the community art project had given him an insight into teamwork, communication and being part of a community.

“My hope is that when people see this they will first be blown away by our talent and that it inspires people to educate themselves around the different issues affecting young people today and young people that have an out of home care experience.,” 18-year old Mark said.

“Often we may fly under the radar but we are working hard to build ourselves up. We want to be seen and heard, we have something to offer, we want to make a mark because we can.

“Just like the players that train and play on this oval, we also want to achieve our goals. We have a vision for our future.”

Ladder Acting CEO, Stephanie De Campo said the community art project was an important project that had given young people an opportunity to develop skills, build their confidence and self-belief and connect with the community.

“The message that this artwork sends, ‘there is a GIANT in all of us’, is so important for young people with an out of home experience to hear and believe in. 

“Despite what a young person may have experienced, they have the potential to create the life that they want to live. And Ladder, the NSW Government and the GIANTS are helping young people to do just that through the Ladder Step Up Western Sydney program,” Ms De Campo said.

Simone Czech, Executive Director of Child & Family at the NSW Department of Family and Community Services, said she was delighted to see Ladder’s Step Up Western Sydney program assisting young people to reach their potential.

“I’m so pleased that the great people at Ladder and the GWS Giants have been working with community partners to deliver Ladder’s Step Up Western Sydney program for people aged 15 to 20 years within the area.  The programs you provide can be the thing that makes the big difference,’’ she said.

Ms De Campo said the Ladder Step Up Western Sydney program uses an evidence-informed coaching approach and is designed to identify and test educational and vocational activities which are of interest to participants.

“Over the past year, we have supported over 50 young people aged 15 – 20 years with an out-of-home care experience. This has included in excess of 600 individual and group sessions and more than 800 hours of service delivery. 

“Every young person is unique and has achieved different outcomes relevant to their circumstances. These have included such things as returning to school to complete their HSC, exploring higher education opportunities, undertaking work experience or commencing meaningful employment,” Ms De Campo said. 

GIANTS Chief Operating Officer, James Avery said they were proud to support young people in western Sydney and to have the mural as a constant reminder to GIANTS’ staff and players of their commitment to community. 

“The communities of Western Sydney are central to everything the GIANTS do and we are committed to working in partnership with Ladder to do everything we can to instill a strong self-belief in our next generation. 

“Our campaign “There’s a GIANT in all of us” is relevant not only to our Club, but the young people in the Ladder program who have the potential to succeed and build fulfilling lives,” Mr Avery said. 

The program was announced in November 2016, with the NSW Government committing $1.3 million to the program over two years.