What is Veterans for Youth?

What is Veterans for Youth?

INTRODUCTION Veterans for Youth is a Program designed to create opportunities for young people to experience life in the military and benefit from the unique skills and attributes of Australia s defence force veterans. These skills have been broken down into core activities which are combined into a number of courses. These courses will be delivered in the form of a camp for young people aged between 12 and 17 years of age. To find out more visit [www.v4y.com.au or call 1300 874 034

ABOUT THE COURSE Courses have been designed by veterans based on their real-life military experiences in order to improve the social skills and community relationships of the young people they will teach. The courses achieve this by helping young people develop a range of life skills to help them successfully overcome the many challenges they will face in life. These skills include: Integrity and Values' Listening & Time Management Public speaking Conflict resolution Job interviews Tidiness These skills are further supported by a number of physical activities that are included in the course to help build self-confidence and character and stress the importance of physical fitness. These activities include anything from rock climbing and abseiling to obstacle course navigation and bridge climbing, and youths at the camp can complete a tandem parachute jump at the end as an optional extra if they wish. Beyond their benefit to the youths, these courses have been developed to create employment for veterans who have left the defence force, and to provide them an opportunity to pass on their unique skills and experiences from their military service to young people who may be in need of such guidance. Camp costs $3,495 Early Bird (inc GST} $3,995 General Cost (inc GST} To find out more visit www.v4y.com.au or call 1300 874 034

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS Daimien Patterson grew up the youngest of 4 children to a single mother in the Western Suburbs of Sydney. By age 13 he was off the rails. With his mother working full time, leaving the house each day at 7.30am and returning at 6.30pm, she could not pin him down. Frequently skipping school and getting into trouble, something had to be done. DAIMIEN PATTERSON Founder Daimien was then put into a youth development group run by a few veterans, in a desperate attempt to sort him out. The leader of the organisation was a Vietnam veteran and another volunteer instructor was a serving soldier in the Army at the time. It was these two men that put Daimien on the straight and narrow. Daimien now owns two businesses that he built from scratch, that employs over 25 staff, and is the founder of a youth development group that has approximately 400 children and 50 volunteers involved over 8 locations. Daimien realised that there was something special about veterans that makes them amazing mentors for youth, so he founded Veterans 4 Youth (V4Y), a program that employs veterans to run intense and effective mentoring and personal development programs for teenagers. Daimien sees V4Y as his way of paying forward the assistance that was given to him as a wayward teenager. Served for 16 years leaving the Australian Army as a Warrant Officer Class 2 in 2003. Since leaving the army Michael has worked in the security and intelligence industry at a range of locations in Queensland. During Michael s time since leaving the army he has become very passionate about the situations many young people find themselves in especially given the lack of opportunities they have and how a series of poor choices can lead to a life of unfortunate consequences. MICHAEL LYNESS Camp Manager Not surprisingly Michael s passion in this area led him to an active involvement in Military Cadets. Michael remains passionate in his aim to help young people understand that there are many choices in life and to ultimately assist those young people who are going off the rails to achieve better outcomes through their decision making. Having spent 17 years in the Australian Army, Michael Geurts has decided to put forward his military skills and formal qualifications to produce a professional fitness boot camp organisation. For 2 years now, Michael s focus has been on diversifying his fitness programs, to cater to all levels of fitness, body types and sizes. As a Military Instructor and Personal Trainer, Michael understands the fundamentals and importance of appropriate rehabilitation. MICK GEURTS Personal Trainer This has allowed him to understand the necessity of having a flexible approach to fitness. Michael is a unique trainer that takes his knowledge and professional experience serious and pushes people to their own pace, however allowing them to achieve their maximum potential with the importance of discipline, positive reinforcement and motivation.

HEAR WHAT PEOPLE HAVE TO SAY If you want peace of mind about your child s future, as well as care, discipline, and pride-of-self instilled into your child, then V4Y is for you. I have known Daimien Patterson for 4 years, and his skills and leadership have helped my son and myself to aspire to be better. There is no question that V4Y is a successful program to bring change to your child. - Jack Kyte Micheal takes the time to get to know each child individually. He sets them tasks according to their ability but ensures that every child has a valued role within the unit. Michael is approachable to not only the children but also to the parents, and always has time and a listening ear. He is a genuine down to earth man with the best interest of the kids at the forefront of his mind at all times. He is a fantastic role model to the children who may not have that male role model in their own lives - Ren Woodforth, Qld