Posted on 10th November 2020
ARTucation health promotion project wins ZEST Award for Outstanding Project working with Aboriginal Communities in Western Sydney
Pride and sheer happiness were the top feelings in the Youth Solutions office when the news was recently handed down that the organisation’s ARTucation project had claimed a coveted award.
The ZEST Awards are renowned for highlighting the best in community services in Western Sydney. This year, Youth Solutions ARTucation project, which is delivered in Macarthur and Wingecarribee, claimed the accolade for Outstanding Project working with Aboriginal Communities in Western Sydney.
Youth Solutions Chief Executive Officer Geraldine Dean said she was extremely proud of team and the ARTucation project for securing the honour, but most importantly, for making a difference in the lives of local young people.
“Youth Solutions is here to help our young people to be healthy, safe and connected and prevented from the harms of drugs and alcohol. To know that our projects are really achieving in that area, to a level that gains us this kind of award recognition, is incredibly rewarding and validating for our service,” Mrs Dean said.
“I’d like to express our thanks to the ZEST Awards panel for selecting our ARTucation program for this honour. I’d also like to thank the hardworking Youth Solutions team for their ongoing work. Finally, we’d all like to thank the many young people, and their supporters, who have engaged with the ARTucation program – this is award is about you.”
Check out the award announcement video:
Youth Solutions Health Promotion Coordinator and ARTucation project lead, Sam Young, echoed Mrs Dean’s thanks.
“We’re so proud to have ARTucation acknowledged in this way, especially considering how many amazing services and programs there are happening in our community,” Miss Young.
“ARTucation is dedicated to working with young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their peers. We feel so lucky and grateful that we get to deliver this program, on Dharawal land, with our local young people, as well as with the support of their supporters. We’d particularly like to thank our local elders and the many people we connect with who support this project and help to make this project happen. Special thanks to Aboriginal artiste Danielle Mate Sullivan who has been a long-term ARTucation supporter, assisting with the creative arts component of the project.”
ARTucation is a Youth Solutions health promotion project. The project combining creative arts and Traditional Indigenous Games with drug and alcohol education and harm prevention messages. ARTucation is an interactive workshop series, focused on knowledge and skill development to reduce and prevent drug and alcohol-related harm and includes at least one creative workshop delivered by an Aboriginal artist or facilitator. The free program is delivered by Youth Solutions with groups of young people, and their support workers, across Macarthur and Wingecarribee.
