HELP US, HELP YOUTH
We want your help to raise $7,500 fast so we can buy a (mini) bus to:
1. Transport 100+ young people to workshops that offer free dance, music, creative writing tutoring throughout the year;
2. Deliver 30+ emerging artists to tutoring and mentoring sessions with professional artists, and;
3. Shuttle 30+ emerging artists to gigs and events where they are paid to work!
What will your support help us do?
Simple, really. Your support will help us buy a bus! The bus will connect young people to our workshops that break down barriers, impart confidence, raise self-esteem, provide life and social skills all while offering skills and techniques in dance, music
and writing.
The bus will enable us to connect these young people with mentors and professional artists and ultimately into our social enterprise where they will be plugged into gigs and events where they are paid as artists.
“Through working with the OUP team I have met more dancers and performers, the access to networks is enormous. Thanks to them I am touring the country all the time.
– Tina, Emerging Artists, Darebin, age 20.
Why a bus?
Our working map is north of the ‘Bell St Border’ in Melbourne. It covers the far north sections of the five municipalities of Darebin, Hume, Whittlesea, Banyule and Moreland. This region has a high portion of public housing and new housing estates. Around
10% of our participants have a disability, approximately 10% are from refugee backgrounds, 5% of females have experienced pregnancy and 90% of participants are from low income households. In Moreland alone youth make up 20% of the total municipality population
with higher percentages in Hume and Whittlesea. Location and socio-economic disadvantage means that OUP participants have a range issues in securing reliable and convenient transportation.
"During the 2009/10 financial year, over 50% of youth aged 16 to 24 were unemployed across north western Melbourne."
Source - Hume City Council Young People Profile and Demographics Projected Populations May 27 2009.
“The OUP team have helped me find housing and have played a big part in plugging me into to work, both in and out of the arts.”
– Participant aged 22 Reservoir.
Wait, $7,500 can’t buy a Bus!
We know buses cost more than $7,500. Our friends at the Inner North Community Foundation will match it up to $5,000 if we reach our $7,500 target in time.
Also OUP will match (up to $12,500) the total raised to secure bus around the $25,000 price mark but we need you help to kick it off! We need to get $7,500 – fast.
What's in it for you?
Good question! Apart from making new friends with the OUP team, we have some exciting and unique rewards and offers to say “thanks” for your amazing support! From double passes to see our festival shows to dinner and concert with Composer and Music Director
- Irine Vela. You can look them up on the top right of this page and choose a reward that you want.
You’ll also be joining a network of partners and people committed to making positive long-term change in our city.
