Mountain Track Youth

Mountain Track is a long-term youth intervention program for young people doing it tough in the Latrobe

Valley Area.

Mountain Track Youth exist to transform lives in the Latrobe Valley Area. We are targeting this cohort in this region, as this is one of the most socio-economic disadvantaged LGAs in the state. The social enterprise allows our young people a soft introduction to the world of work. It allows them to build their capacity, their skills, and their knowledge. It allows them to gain hands on experience and understand the rigors of employment before exposing them to real work conditions.

2024 Pitch

Funds Raised: $44,050

Laura and David pitched for funds to buy a second hand excavator. The excavator will allow them to significantly expand their social enterprise offerings and generate their own income allowing them to bring more severely marginalised and traumatised young people into the program.

It will also allow them to train our young people to become excavator driver and that would get them into well paid work anywhere in the country.

The Impact…

The funding supported what it intended to and was entirely put towards the purchasing of an excavator. 15 young people were impacted by this and have gained many hours of on machine excavating experience. Some have completed their excavating driver qualification as well. A number are now in the position to go on to gain employment as an excavator driver.

Beneficiary story: “One of our young lads, Jerry* has come from severely challenging life circumstances, horrific family life, not attending school and in trouble with the law. 

When he came to us he was in a world of pain and hurt. Since coming to Mountain Track he has gained in confidence, self-esteem and has a new outlook on life, he sees hope for his future, and learning to operate an excavator is a big part of that growth. He has had offers of excavator work and we are working towards getting his hours up on the excavator so he'll be ready for the worksite.”

Learn more about Mountain Track Youth

https://www.mountaintrack.org/

Supporting Sustainable Development Goals: