Mission Possible for young Tweed leaders

THE MURWILLUMBAH Community Centre is seeking Tweed residents aged 14-18 to participate in the youth leadership program Mission Impossible.

In the project young people will have their voices heard and be part of future solutions to climate change, natural disaster preparedness, and recovery.

Successful applicants will design a community project, work with a mentor, develop leadership goals, and build a future resume. Participants will also engage in disaster training, and share their ideas and lived experience.

The program aims to be fun and inclusive, with the chance to mix with like-minded young people and learn important skills.

Mission Possible Project Coordinator Marlena Basser told this masthead that young people were often left out of these important conversations.

“They experience disasters as much as any community member and also need to be prepared and to recover,” Ms Basser said.

“We believe that young people know best how to engage and support young people in this space.”

The Mission Possible project was developed in association with local youth agencies and emergency response organisations to enhance climate disaster readiness and recovery.

The initiative trains 15 Diverse Young Leaders from the shire who will engage with peers, promote disaster readiness via social media, and partake in community enrichment activities such as drama workshops.

It also aims to build emotional and social competence in the next generation of community leaders.

The $149,379 project was funded by the Social Futures Resilient Kids Program and the federally funded Healthy North Coast. The six-part program involves project planning, staff training, youth engagement, educational workshops, and community outreach. Workshops begin in September and project implementation and mentor support phases will be completed by March 2025.

“Being part of the solution to a problem like climate change and natural disasters can be extremely empowering,” Ms Basser said.

“Often, we can feel hopeless and like we have no control over such things. In this program, young people will be seen, heard and supported to make a difference.”

Young people who are neurodiverse, gender diverse and from the LGBTQIA+ community are encouraged to apply.

Applications for Mission Impossible close on August 4. An information session will be held at Murwillumbah Community Centre on Monday, July 29, at 4 pm.

For more details, contact Marlena Basser on 0404 486 712 or [email protected]