Colour For a Cause

The trainees of Afford’s SLES (School Leaver Employment Support) Penrith, Mt Druitt, Ingleburn and Prestons programs recently participated in a Colour Run. It was an event for youth to promote acceptance and understanding of young people living with disability.

Thanks to a Liverpool Council Youth Week grant, SLES trainers organised the colour run to raise awareness and the importance of giving a voice to young people with disability. The theme for the day was ‘removing the stigma of youth living with disability’ and the event provided a fun and encouraging environment for all participants.

The day’s events included a variety of informative and educational sessions for trainees. The local police spoke about community safety and where to go for help.

Afford’s DES (Disability Employment Services) provided trainees with valuable information about developing skills and work readiness to find their ideal job. Motivational speaker, Khoa Nam Tran, was very inspirational and had the trainees’ complete attention as he told his story about never giving up, no matter what.

There were also a variety of sporting activities to take part in throughout the day. These focussed on soccer skills, throwing and catching and teamwork.

The activity that was the highlight of everyone’s day was the colour run! Loaded with coloured chalk, trainees took to the field to spray colours on their peers and friends.

After a few short minutes, their brilliantly white Afford SLES t-shirts were decorated with chalk of all the colours of the rainbow.

“It was good. I enjoyed it a lot,” Chloe commented.

“I had a great day. It was perfect. So much fun” said Ervin.

Stella captured exactly what the day was all about when she said that the day was so colourful and that she had so much fun.

The day ended with a lunch where trainees able to choose pasta, chicken schnitzel, fish, calamari – whatever they wanted! There were smiles all around. An oversized frame was perfect for capturing group photos with teams for great memories of the day. The Penrith Cheerleaders were also on-site to have photos with participants.

“It was so heart-warming to see all of our trainees come together and have an amazing, fun time,” said Symone, Afford SLES National Employment Supports Manager.

“Our SLES program is all about empowering trainees to believe in their abilities and let them know that they have the support to achieve whatever they choose.”

Thanks to Liverpool Council Youth Week funding, trainees participated in activities that promoted teamwork, social interactions and most importantly, fun.

Find out more about Afford’s SLES programs in New South Wales and Queensland.