14 NEWSBOYS FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT 2017 GRANTS KIDS THRIVE Kids as Catalyst Kids as Catalyst is a social change program that empowers young people aged 11-12 as major contributors to, and creators of, their community. Young people identify local community issues and implement solutions to address those issues. Kids Thrive is delivering Kids as Catalyst in Benalla, working in partnership with Benalla P-12 College, The Tomorrow Today Foundation, local community organisations and local businesses. The innovative program fosters young people’s resilience, leadership and entrepreneurialism. It also helps young people lead community development projects. kidsthrive.org.au KIDS UNDER COVER Kids Under Cover Scholarship Program The Scholarship Program provides financial support to at-risk young people living in Kids Under Cover studios who are engaged (or are looking to re- engage) with education and job training. Kids Under Cover’s combination of accommodation and scholarship support targets at-risk young people as part of an early intervention strategy to prevent homelessness and support young people to stay at school or undertake job training. In 2016/17, support from the Newsboys Foundation funded scholarships for 23 young people formerly at risk of homelessness, including 11 girls and 12 boys, with an average age of 16 years. kuc.org.au MALLEE ACCOMMODATION & SUPPORT PROGRAM (MASP) MASP Kokoda Youth Mentoring Program MASP is based in Mildura and has supported young people for more than three decades. The MASP Kokoda Youth Mentoring Program is a 12-month mentoring initiative for 15 to 20 young people aged 16 -18. The program aims to engage young people with education, training and employment through support and assistance provided by the mentors. The highlight is when mentees and mentors walk the Kokoda Track together. masp.org.au “Doing Kokoda made me discover an inner strength I never knew I had.” Mallee Accommodation & Support Program