This Queensland Youth Week, we are thrilled to celebrate and recognise the talents, achievements and contributions of young people we have the privilege of supporting through our Youth and Family Services, including Grace, a musician who’s winning over music lovers.

Music gives Grace a way to share her thoughts and her heart.

And now the 14 year old singer from Caboolture can say she shared her spirit with an audience at Bluesfest, a crowd of avid music lovers that descend on Byron Bay every Easter.

Grace said joining Sound Connections 18 months ago was the catalyst to finding her voice.

Sound Connections at Intercept Youth & Family Program in Caboolture runs weekly during the school term, bringing together a group of school aged kids keen to make music with the guidance of professional musicians and Intercept mentors.

The young people learn instruments and work on performance and song writing. This all culminates with an end of term concert.

The focus is on self expression and connecting with their inner voice.

“I love Sound Connections and am so glad to have met the mentors,” Grace said.

“I love all the music and the chance to do things I couldn’t or wouldn’t try.

“Music gives me a way to share my thoughts, my heart and something to focus on no matter what’s happening.”

Like many of us, Grace is searching for meaning in a crowded world.

She lives with Autism and identifies as a First Nations artist.

A sense of connection and belonging through music is giving her the wings to fly.

Mum Sam said the change in Grace since joining the program had been huge.

She said Grace encourages other young people to join her at open mic nights and is playing her own part in bringing people together.

“I think it’s a testament to the program that it awakens and exposes kids to use music as an outlet and form of expression, as well as gaining self-belief,” she said.

“I just wanted to thank (Intercept) for how far Gracie has come – not just musically but being able to express herself, have confidence and believe in herself.”

You can follow Grace on Facebook or Instagram @grace_alexandra_music and thanks for image onewayboulevard on Instagram @onewayboulevard.ig

#QLDYW #QueenslandYouth

Twenty-eight remarkable young individuals have completed their journey with Intercept Youth & Family Program’s alternative schooling YJET.

Well done, graduates! Your success is not only a personal triumph but also a shining beacon for other young people.

Here’s what 16 year old graduate Lilly had to say: “YJET is a supportive system. It’s self paced and less stressful. I plan to go to TAFE and eventually study to be a primary school teacher”.

Our dedicated team at Intercept is proud to support these young minds as they embark on their paths to continuing education and the workforce.

Education is a powerful foundation, and at YJET, we focus on providing a flexible, supportive, and youth-friendly environment for individuals aged 14-16.

15 year old Blayke summed up his experience, “You get given respect. That’s the difference between (mainstream) school (and YJET). It’s like they understand me and have a proper conversation with me”.

Here’s to the 2023 graduates of YJET – your journey doesn’t end here; it’s a stepping stone to even greater accomplishments!

Intercept Youth & Family Program’s bursaries assist clients to combat cost of living pressures.

We are raising funds so young people can get ahead.

Youth and Family

Recently clients have requested assistance with paying for a Driver’s Licence and a White card so they can get a job; a gym membership to assist with mental health support; purchasing fabric for a student studying fashion design at TAFE; and paying for a specialist appointment.

These small but mighty funds go a long way to getting young people on their feet.

I really believe there is good in every day. I think the overall highlights though are the small wins we see each and every single day in YJET. Our young people are amazing and watching them learn something new or have success with different things, even the small things, keeps me motivated each and every day to keep on being the best I can to the young people. Our young people deserve to have a champion in their lives, a person who will never give up on them and will always be there.

What do you think is the success factors for the program?

I think the success of YJET is our small class size and the use of placement students to keep our student to worker ratio high. Students are able to work at their own pace at a level that they are at (that slightly challenges them). Our students have a say in most things from our class rules, to what they would like to learn in life skills, to the set up of the room.

What do you hope you can achieve in the future for the program? 

My dream for YJET is to have a larger space with lots of greenery and places for people to do hands-on activities (such as caring for animals, gardening, adventure-based activities) that push them out of their comfort zone. The dream YJET space would also include accommodation for those young people who need it.

What do you draw on for inspiration? 

This one is easy – our young people are who inspire my work each and every day. They are so insightful and honest and regularly provide feedback on what they want now and into the future.

Teena Ryder, Support Worker (middle) with Sarah Souter, acting Service Manager at Intercept (left) and Chris Seiboth, Executive Lead of Community Services (right)

What a thrill for participants at today’s open mic event at Caboolture Town Square – an enthusiastic crowd and professional backing! It was part of a joint partnership between Intercept Youth Services and Moreton Bay Regional Council, as part of Queensland Youth Week. Brave singers of all ages graced the stage and entertained the crowd. Well done to all involved!

Between COVID lockdowns and the floods that devastated South East Queensland, it’s been a very challenging time for all of us.

Our staff have gone above and beyond to ensure our clients and residents have felt safe, supported and comfortable during the last few months.

We celebrate our staff and the commitment they’ve shown.

Every staff member will receive a special gift pack full of goodies, including some lovely baked treats made and packed by Lutheran Youth Queensland.

Thank you to all our wonderful staff! We couldn’t do it without you.

As the season of Lent begins, so does our annual LCAQD Lenten appeal.

This year’s appeal will support three life-affirming projects by Lutheran Services. Read more or donate here.

Bridges Reconnect Team Leader Remi Kamo (pictured) is adding valuable insights to a project that maps the care systems supporting young people and their families in Logan.

Remi, who is completing her Masters in Psychology, was thrilled to contribute to the project, called Pathways in Place: Co-Creating Community Capabilities, with Griffith University.

Congratulations to Teena, YJET’s superstar lead facilitator at Intercept Youth & Family Program.

Teena is a finalist in the Employee of the Year category at the Moreton Bay Region Business Excellence and Innovations Awards (MBRIT).

The award focuses on extraordinary professional achievement as well as contributions to the organisation nominees work for. Teena, you get our vote!

Inclusivity and access are key words in the disability and aged care space.

While access can be ensured with the right built environment, being truly inclusive can be more challenging.

Our Creative Programs Advisor Clare Apelt is a dance facilitator and has learnt that being curious and playful with aged care residents or disability clients can kick start their creative journeys.

Clare recently told Ausdance Qld magazine IN/FORM she believes ‘in the power of creativity and dance to transform and connect.’

“To achieve real participation by a person with a disability of some sort … (as a facilitator) I need to be curious and consult with them about what they want from the activity and any specific needs they might have,” she says.

When aged care residents or disability clients begin work on a project, Clare starts with the premise of curiosity and playfulness to build trust and collaboration.

“My work is process driven and often I don’t know what the end product will look like,” she says.

“I can work with the ideas, interests and strengths of my participants.

“This can be scary at times, but I have learned to trust myself and the process, allowing the work to emerge.’’

The Lutheran Services’ Creative Programs team conduct on-site activities every day with our 1200 aged care and disability clients. But the team has also enabled clients to stage dance performances at theatres in Brisbane and Logan in the past few years.

During 2019 and 2020 there were several successful performances.

If Only I Could was staged at the Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts with professional dancers working with residents from our Zion and Tabeel aged care services.

Uncomfortable issues such as dementia and aged care were explored in creative ways with Alice in Trinderland, at Trinder Park in conjunction with students from the local state high school.

Collaboration with other disability groups has proved a powerful combination when clients from Keystone Centre at Logan hosted and performed with multi-ability dancers from Mo-Ya-Co in Nagoya, Japan.

Our Keystone clients were then lucky enough to perform in Japan with them as well, before the pandemic saw restrictions on travel. This collaboration is continuing to be fruitful with our clients now performing with their Japanese colleagues via Zoom.