City trip builds confidence and connection for school-disengaged teens

Hanging out with friends in the city during school holidays is a rite of passage for most Melbourne teenagers – but for many of the young people who are supported by our Navigator program, that opportunity lies on the other side of big barriers.

“We’re talking about young people who essentially don’t leave the house – there’s social anxiety, diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder, mental health concerns, and low socio-economic backgrounds that mean young people have missed out on opportunities.”

Jasmine Kokonis is a case manager in Navigator, which supports young people aged 12-17 who have attended 30 per cent or less of the previous school term or are not in education at all.

That disengagement not only restricts the educational progress young people can make – it means many have missed out on school-based opportunities like excursions and holiday programs.

We’re talking about young people who essentially don’t leave the house – there’s social anxiety, diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder, mental health concerns, and low socio-economic backgrounds that mean young people have missed out on opportunities.

Jasmine Kokonis

Navigator case manager

In January, Jasmine and another Navigator case manager, Emily Moustafa, decided to change this – running a scavenger hunt across Melbourne’s CBD for 11 of the young people the program supports.

“It ran it over two Wednesdays in the lead-up to the return to Term 1 – almost like a mini re-engagement project, to get young people to step outside of their comfort zones, socialise; build a bit of confidence,” Jasmine said.

“For these young people, leaving their home is such a big deal,” Emily said.

“We thought, how can we incorporate something that is fun, resilience-building and empowering into a school holiday program?”

From Jesuit Social Services’ office in the inner Melbourne suburb of Brunswick, case managers escorted small groups of young people on the tram into the city, where they were given questions and puzzles to resolve at iconic Melbourne locations, including Flinders Street Station, Queen Victoria Market, Hosier Lane, and the State Library of Victoria (left).

Students learnt facts about Ned Kelly, photographed the oversized chess set and magnificent domed roof at the State Library, saw street art in Melbourne’s famous laneways (right), counted the clocks and named the nearby restaurant floating in the Yarra River at Flinders Street Station, and tried new foods like dumplings, sushi and kimchi for lunch.

While the young people were initially nervous about participating, by the end of the hunt feedback was overwhelmingly positive.

“They were excited, energised, connected,” said Emily.

“One mum said her daughter came home and could not stop talking about it. It was new experiences, building resilience, meeting other young people who feel the same way they do – participants were like, ‘I was able to cope in a social situation; I did it!’”

Emily and Jasmine said the school holiday program was not only fun – it will help young people build the skills and confidence necessary to facilitate their re-engagement with education.

They were excited, energised, connected. It was new experiences, building resilience, meeting other young people who feel the same way they do – participants were like, ‘I was able to cope in a social situation; I did it!’

Emily Moustafa

Navigator case manager

“Our goal is always to get the young person to school, but it takes so much to help them get there,” said Jasmine.

“The city experience showed a lot of people coming out of their comfort zones, and feeling confident and comfortable to try new things. It was so empowering – it reminded young people that school term is coming up and they’ve got the skills and qualities to handle it.”

“The reason school is so important is for learning and social connection,” said Jasmine.

“I think that’s what this program offered, even though it wasn’t a formal school setting.”

Learn more about Navigator