NEWSBOYS FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT 2018 15 GRANTS I CAN NETWORK Building the long-term financial stability of I CAN Network The I CAN Network is a mentor program by autistic professionals for autistic young people. In Victoria, 600 young people are being mentored by the I CAN Network. With Newsboys Foundation support, the I CAN Network is working with Social Venture Partners (SVP) to build the capacity and the long-term sustainability of the I CAN Network. This will enable the reach of the organisation to grow and enable more services to be provided to more young people with autism. icannetwork.com.au INTERCHANGE LODDON MALLEE Z Connex Interchange Loddon Mallee in Bendigo is piloting a new program to support up to 40 young people who have a disability to go on social outings. The social outings are based on the interests of the 11-21 year olds and occur in small groups of three to five. The outings include trips to the theatre, sporting activities, cooking classes, shopping, dancing and going to events. Through the outings, it is hoped that young people will develop more friendships, increase their confidence and build their connection to the community. interchangelm.org.au 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 these issues. In 2018, Kids Thrive delivered the second year of the Kids as Catalyst program in Benalla. Kids Thrive continues to work in partnership with Benalla P-12 College, The Tomorrow Today Foundation and local community organisations and businesses in Benalla. The innovative program is successful in fostering young people’s resilience, leadership and entrepreneurialism. It also encourages young people to develop real- life skills to identify and lead community projects. kidsthrive.org.au KIDS UNDER COVER Scholarships for young Victorians The Scholarship Program provides financial support to at-risk young people living in Kids Under Cover Houses and Studios who are engaged (or are looking to re-engage) with education and job training. Kids Under Cover’s combination of accommodation with scholarship support helps 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. The Newsboys Foundation has been a proud supporter of the scholarship program since 2011. Each year, Newsboys supports about 20 scholarships for young Victorians aged 11-21. kuc.org.au Interchange Loddon Mallee I CAN Network Kids Thrive