Clontarf Foundation

The Clontarf Foundation exists to improve the education, discipline, life skills, selfesteem and employment prospects of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and by doing so, equips them to participate more meaningfully in society. The Foundation believes that a failure to experience achievement when young, coupled with a position of underprivilege can lead to alienation, anger and to more serious consequences. As a prelude to tackling these and other issues, participants are first provided with an opportunity to succeed and in turn to raise their selfesteem. Our programme is delivered through a network of academies established in partnerships with schools. Any Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander male enrolled at the school is eligible to participate in the Clontarf academy. Our academies provide an important schoolengagement mechanism for many atrisk students who would otherwise not attend or have low school attendance. Fulltime, locally based Clontarf staff mentor and counsel students on a range of behavioural and lifestyle issues while the school caters for their educational needs. Using a comprehensive approach of supportive relationships, a welcoming environment and a diverse range of activities, the students develop improved selfesteem and confidence which enables them to participate in education, employment and society in a positive way. Academy activities are planned within the focus areas of education, leadership, employment, well being and sport. In order to remain in the programme, participants must continue to work at their schooling, embrace the objectives of the Foundation, and consistently endeavour to attend school regularly, apply themselves to the study of appropriate courses, and embrace the academy s requirements for behaviour and selfdiscipline. Upon completing the programme, graduates are assisted to find employment. Specialist Clontarf employment officers are engaged to do this, as well as to provide support until graduates become comfortable with their new jobs and surroundings. This approach has proven to be very successful, not only in attracting young men to school and retaining them but also in having them embrace more disciplined, purposeful and healthy lifestyle.