2021 $30,000 Emerging Grant
TRACTION provides evidence-based, hands-on learning and mentoring programs for 12–15-year-olds in Southeast Queensland, with the goal of keeping them engaged in school and community.
TRACTION believes that all young people deserve the opportunity to discover and develop their strengths, however many people don’t realise their potential in a classroom. That’s why TRACTION takes a different approach. In partnership with schools and other referral agencies, TRACTION engages young people in a workshop environment, “on the tools”, to complete their own projects and experience success.
With the support of TRACTION’s professional mentoring team, young people build resilience and skills to help them thrive in learning, work and life.
TRACTION will use the grant from Women and Change to establish a presence in the Ipswich community where there is a significant community need. TRACTION has received interest from local schools and agencies including Ipswich State High School, Ipswich Youth Services, Ripley Valley State Secondary College and Springfield Central State High Schools. With support, TRACTION will secure 12 months of shared community space in Ipswich to host workshops and promote community engagement in the region
The need to support young people in Ipswich is urgent. Educational disengagement in Ipswich is a major societal problem, with research showing that school attendance falls from 72-75% in primary school to about 50% by year 10.
The TRACTION team anticipates fine-tuning of program delivery by comparing the Ipswich experience to programs established Beaudesert, Redland Bay, Brisbane and Yarrabilba. This work will involve adapting to the direct need identified in Ipswich over the 12-month pilot. Success in this pilot will demonstrate proof of concept for the Ipswich community. TRACTION will then engage local funding partners, based on already existing relationships.