A Message from the BABI CEO

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Annual Report
2005

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2006 Child
Protection Award

Work in progress ...

Renovations completed!

    Key Areas for
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Welcome to Bayside Adolescent Boarding Incorporated

CEO Message

'A Word (or Two …) from the new CEO'

As the recently appointed CEO of BABI Youth & Family Support, let me introduce myself and welcome you to our new website! I have been known as
Mrs Fletch, Di or Diane Fletcher; I am delighted and proud to be the “Hi, Di Fletcher speaking…” voice on the other end of a BABI phone.

I have had a long and enjoyable association with BABI -- as a supporter, as a Board member, and as the President of the BABI Board of Management.

I have had the pleasure:

of seeing the renovations at 34 Bay Terrace come to fruition,
of participating in the ceremony where the Prime Minister’s Award for Community Business Partnerships was presented, and
of seeing one of our 20-year-old ‘innovations’ rewarded, at the presentation of the Child Protection Week Award for 2006 in the 'Education Initiative' category.

Each of these was a wonderful occasion for BABI and its staff!

However, I also have shared a number of very difficult times with the BABI staff.

These experiences have only further enhanced my respect for the staff, whose chief concerns have been the welfare and reputation of the organisation -- coupled with the need to deliver a high standard of support for young people.

Over the years I have increased my passion for BABI, an organisation which has served this community for over 23 years:

from humble beginnings meeting the needs of homeless young people, or those at risk of homelessness, by boarding them in volunteer private homes
to a multi-faceted organisation employing 17 staff and using the services of a wonderful band of volunteer caretakers, other volunteers and mentors, as well as project workers who come on board at particular times.

This dedicated band of social workers, counsellors, accommodation workers, youth development workers and support workers in our schools, seek to meet the ever-changing needs:

of “homeless” young people and often their children,
the pressing needs of young people in contact with the justice system for various reasons,
the cry for help that goes beyond the resources of the education system,
the needs of those community members seeking to arm themselves with practical strategies to enjoy parenting teenagers in this complex society and, above all,
to work to strengthen the ties with the families of this diverse range of young people.

My job is to ensure that the resources and support systems are in place to accomplish the myriad of day-to-day actions to fulfil BABI’s mission:

'To promote an environment in which young people can grow
and participate successfully in the life of their community.'

Why do I think that I am the person to assist this process?

I come to this position after 25 years working in the State secondary schooling system, where I was always involved in working to meet the welfare needs of young people through various roles as well as teaching Drama and, in later years, implementing a Literacy Program.

My family roles -- as a parent of four daughters, now aged 26 to 33, and as a grandparent of a one-year-old -- have equipped me with insights into the difficulties and challenges of parenting across a number of decades:
a sobering thought!

Probably the chief attribute I bring to this vital job is my love of people, complemented by my belief that we are all life-long learners who need to hone our abilities to listen, empathise and communicate effectively.

Working alongside the team of workers who are the hub of BABI in differing capacities over the years has convinced me that commitment to supporting young people and their families is not only a monumentally draining job -- physically, intellectually and emotionally -- but also an immensely rewarding one.

The rewards are not monetary, but reside in the small steps a client may take toward building self-esteem, in realising

that anger and destruction are not the way to resolve an issue,
that all family life is not in the mould of the ‘Brady Bunch”,
that difficulties and challenges can make one a stronger person,
that, at times, anyone can feel lost and uncared for.

Everyone has the need and right to be supported and cared for – whom better to turn to than the professional and caring BABI team? It is a privilege to work with each one of its members.

I look forward to your support, in any way possible, that will allow us to implement creative and innovative ways of providing for the basic needs of the young people and their families that come to us.

Just as importantly, your help can increase our capacity to assist the ever-increasing numbers that we are forced to turn away each day: “Sorry, we do not have any ’crisis care’ “ or “Sorry, we have no vacancies at the moment!”

Di Fletcher
CEO, BABI Youth & Family Support
ceo@babi.org.au

2004 Awards Ceremony platform

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BABI Youth & Family Support

| Main Office: 34 Bay Terrace, Wynnum 4178 QLD | Post: P.O. Box 69, Wynnum 4178 QLD

ABN 62 880 083

728 | Tel (07) 3393 4176 | Fax (07) 3393 5808 | E-mail admin@babi.org.au