Happy Paws Happy Hearts wheels employment program for at-risk youth into Hunter Valley
Happy Paws Happy Hearts prepares vulnerable youth for employment pathways with the help of their ‘paw-some’ assistants.
18 April 2023: Happy Paws Happy Hearts (HPHH) launches its successful employment pathway program Explore in Hunter Valley, with the help of the mobile classroom parked at Hunter Valley Animal Facility and Rehoming Centre NSW (HVAFARC). This custom-built mobile classroom was made possible thanks to generous grant funding of $75,000 by Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation.
Working age (aged 15 to 64) people with disability are more than twice as likely to be unemployed than those without a disability1. In response, HPHH developed and launched Explore for participants ready to take the next steps into volunteering, work, or further study in the animal care industry and beyond. With animals at the heart of the unique program, participants learn employment skills and gain confidence to enter the next phase of their lives.
Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation Chair, Jennifer Leslie, says Explore is a much-needed support program for at-risk youth in the Hunter.
“The Foundation is focused on supporting young people and given 70 per cent of Happy Paws Happy Hearts participants are indeed young people, who may have been disengaged from education and employment opportunities, this partnership offers them a safe and educational environment in which they can thrive,” says Ms Leslie.
“Through the six-month Explore program, Happy Paws Happy Hearts secures placement and study options for each participant, aligning with their individual goals, capability and support needs.
“This allows the participants to put their knowledge into practice, gain real-world experience they can add to their resumes, and start building connections in their specific field.”
Since launching Explore in Hunter Valley, HPHH has supported four participants on their employment journey. One participant, Steph, graduated early after securing employment in the animal care industry. Three participants currently attend the program twice weekly.
“I’m so proud of Steph for securing her dream job in the animal care industry. I’m also delighted to continue working with our three participants every week – Dylan, Jax and Gabby – for how much they have grown and flourished in such a short time. They are genuinely such a wonderful group of people,” Happy Paws Happy Hearts Team Leader, Nina Waterton says.
“Seeing the real impact Explore has on their lives makes going to work so enjoyable. With some of our participants, it’s like night and day; watching them gain confidence and achieve their goals is truly awesome.
“I’m so excited to be able to continue supporting more participants in their return-to-life journeys and to keep spreading the puppy love along the way.”
Currently running in Wacol and Toowoomba in Queensland, figures reveal two-thirds (66%) of Explore alumni have gone on to find employment or pursue further study opportunities.
“We are beyond excited to launch our wonderful Explore program in the Hunter Valley. The program is specifically designed for participants who made their way through our programs that are ready for their next challenge; whether that be employment in the animal care industry, further study or other return-to-life pathways,” Happy Paws Happy Hearts Chief Commercial Officer, Kellie Ireland says.
“Thanks to the generous grant funding by Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation, we have been able to roll out our mobile classroom, to teach this truly incredible program to local vulnerable youth. We can equip our participants with knowledge and skills to thrive in their desired careers, hand in hand with the confidence to know they are valuable and capable of doing so.”
To enquire about Explore in Hunter Valley, please reach out to our Enrolment team at https://www.hphhfoundation.org/contact-us.
For interview opportunities with Happy Paws Happy Hearts Chief Commercial Officer, Kellie Ireland, Happy Paws Happy Hearts Program Trainer, Nina Waterton, and Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation Chair, Jennifer Leslie, please contact:
Rachel Horan | rachel.horan@hphhfoundation.org | 0480 393 775
Notes to the Editor
1 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2022). People with disability in Australia. https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/disability/people-with-disability-in-australia/contents/employment/unemployment
About Happy Paws Happy Hearts
Happy Paws Happy Hearts (HPHH) began in 2014 when co-founders Zoe and Graeme had an amazing idea to take their foster dogs to visit socially isolated family members. From the first visit, they saw the instant connections formed, and how these interactions brought a smile to the faces of people and animals alike.
Since then, HPHH has grown into a national program, rehabilitating animals, and people across Australia. Working hand in hand with the RSPCA and with the support of our amazing partners, HPHH provides a community for vulnerable people to come together and share a mutual love of animals, learn new skills, and give back in a meaningful way. It also provides much-needed support to many rescue animals waiting for adoption in Australia.
Education and connection happen within the context of a larger community. Our approach takes participants out of the training room and into shelters and wildlife sanctuaries, ensuring participants have the necessary support, environment, and “hands-on” opportunity to do their best development and learning.
About Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation
Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation distributes over $1 million in grants each year to facilitate charitable projects aimed at improving the health and social wellbeing of vulnerable people in regional New South Wales. Since its establishment in 2003, the Foundation has provided more than $25 million to 547 community initiatives.