Participants in Souths Cares Deadly Youth Mentoring and Nanga Mai Marri (Dream Big) programs received a special surprise yesterday with mentors delivering Indigenous designed t-shirts and hoodies throughout South Eastern Sydney.
71 participants from the Nanga Mai Marri (Dream Big) program and 18 participants from the Deadly Youth Mentoring Program received t-shirts and hoodies in recognition for their commitment to Souths Cares programs and their education during the difficult circumstances associated with the current lockdown.
Earlier this year, seven participants from Souths Cares mentoring programs worked under the guidance of renowned Aboriginal artist Uncle Joe Walker to design the Rabbitohs Indigenous jersey. The t-shirts and hoodies have the same design themes as the jersey, which include the Aboriginal warrior Pemulwuy, totems of the sand goanna and the whale which represents the Redfern and La Perouse areas respectively.
With metropolitan Sydney now into the 8th week of lockdown, the team at Souths Cares were eager to provide participants with a morale boost and ensure they were keeping warm with the hoodies and exercising in style with the t-shirts.
Unsurprisingly, yesterday’s visits from program mentors delivering the t-shirts and hoodies were a huge hit.
Imogen Grant is a participant in the Nanga Mai Marri (Dream Big) Program and helped design the Rabbitohs Indigenous jersey earlier this year. She explained the support provided by Souths Cares was vital during the current lockdown.
“Souths Cares has brought a glimmer of light into my life as they continue to support me through my schooling, mental health and overall wellbeing as we take on this dark and difficult period of COVID-19."
Imogen GrantI'm very grateful to be a part of such a beautiful and high-spirited community that is Souths Cares
Jesse-James Shortland is also a participant in the Nanga Mai Marri (Dream Big) program and couldn’t wait to show off the new threads.
“Thanks to Souths Cares for the new Indigenous designed jumper and training shirt, they are deadly”, Jesse said.
Kyeema Craigie-Munro is a participant in the Deadly Youth Mentoring Program and explained that receiving the clothing was the highlight of the week.
“I want to say thanks for the support during COVID with my remote learning and now the new jumper and shirt has made my week!”, Kyeema said.
The Souths Cares team are continuing to provide free training sessions each day from 9 am and free health and wellbeing workshops each day from 10:30 am. The best way to stay connected is through the Souths Cares Facebook Page.
