Spotlight on Jan Schatz, Manager – Family, Child & Youth Service, Community Northern Beaches. Jan is an integral part of our team and this is an overview of the programmes she runs… Mondays: In conjunction with Raise Foundation, Jan mentors the Bump program supporting young mums and pregnant teens. Wednesdays: Raise Foundation In-school Mentoring at Cromer High School. Thursdays: Supported Playgroup at Brookvale Community Centre. Held weekly during school terms, this group is for families who need a little extra support with their children due to delayed learning or behavioural issues. Fridays: Community Yoga (weekly during school terms). Jan is also Area Co-ordinator for the Love Bites Program (Educating teens regarding respectful relationships and sex). Jan is responsible for sourcing, recruiting and training facilitators to run the program which will start again in
September at Forest High School, October at Killarney Heights High School and November at Mosman High School.
Jan also established initiatives such as the Mums & Daughters Self Protection Workshop to be held next on the 19th October. This is a free violence prevention and empowerment workshop for local mothers/carers and girls (aged 10-17 years)with Mel Thomas from the KYUP! Project. Jan is Wellbeing Facilitator for “Ready For Life, Ready For Success” with Relationships Australia for kids in Years 5, 6, 7 & 9 across different schools. These whole day programmes are run once per month and topics include identifying and managing emotions, friends, self-esteem, myths about relationships, and unhealthy vs healthy relationships. Jan also assists with general welfare, family support and crisis case management. Her targeted early intervention work is the cornerstone to our FACS funding so it is important to recognise how much she does.
