YOUNG parents who have dropped out of high school are finishing their educations thanks to a Chisholm Institute program.
The Young Parents Program runs three times a week at Chisholm’s Frankston campus.
The YPP is tailored to the needs of young parents who have not completed high school, Chisholm Institute says. Program participants can bring their children to class and have access to support staff.
Elise used the program to help her finish her secondary education. She fell pregnant in Year 12, and thanks the support provided by the program for helping her complete her schooling. “As a young mum, you feel very alone and it’s hard to relate to your peers. I just don’t think I could have completed Year 12 if I stayed at my old high school – there is so much extra support that’s needed when you’re trying to finish school with a baby,” she said.
“The Young Parents Program provided the support I needed, with a childcare worker and a support worker who guided me through it all. I couldn’t have done any of this without them and the amazing teachers who genuinely care about their students. It really took the burden off my family as well.”
Elise completed Year 12 through the program and is now studying a Certificate III in pathology collection.
Chisholm Institute family support worker Maree Radford said “the benefits of a program like this are huge for a young parent. It gives young people the opportunity to complete their VCE VM qualification at either an intermediate, Year 11, or senior, Year 12, level. They can make connections and get access to a wide range of community resources that otherwise would not be available to them.”
The YPP is co-funded by Anglicare Victoria’s Communities for Children and Chisholm. Program participants must be aged between 15 and 25 years and have a child up to four years of age. Pregnant young people are also eligible. The program funds two years of attendance for students.
For more information visit chisholm.edu.au/about-us/initiatives/young-parents-program