Mandurah educators and community groups took part in a ground-breaking seminar to help families build bridges out of poverty on Wednesday.
The program was developed by Dr Ruby Payne and examines the concept of hidden rules of economic class and uses them to educate community groups about obstacles people from poverty face. The session aimed to give community workers tools to help maximise the opportunities for people in poverty and engage them in planning for the future.
More than 750 educators from across the Peel region took part in a workshop on Monday and Dudley Park Primary School helped organise a second session for community partners.
“Western Australian schools have used the heart of the theory for about 10 years but now we’re looking at educating community groups and employers as well,” presenter Nairn Walker said.
“Some fabulous initiatives have come out of this program in the eastern states so this is an exciting time for WA.”
Dudley Park principal Aaron Thomas said it was the beginning of a new time for the Mandurah community.
“It’s important for people who work within the community to understand exactly what the area is like,” he said.
“It was great to see every educator in Mandurah at the course on Monday.”
Halls Head Community Bank chairman Noel Herbert said the session was vital, given Mandurah has a high bankruptcy rate.
“One thing I’ve seen is community businesses don’t have the same support in Perth,” he said. “People will go to up to Perth for big purchases or commute to work there.”
Wednesday’s session was made possible through investment from Halls Head Community Bank, Peel Community Development Group, Regional Development Australia, Peel Early Years Group, Anglicare WA, Coodanup Community College and the Dudley Park Child and Parent Centre.