2020-21 Year in Review
2020-21 Year in Review
This year we worked with more than 66,000 people in the areas of Home, Learning, Working, Justice, and Health & Disability.
The strong outcomes and results of the organisation are a testament to the hard work of every single person that works at SYC.
We are pleased to report that despite another year of challenges and changes, SYC is in a great position to be able to invest more in our mission-based projects and capacity building.
Our adaptability is our strength, and we have many exciting projects on the horizon that will help us to continue to grow our impact.
– Bec
66,031
We support Australians, irrespective of their background, location, ability, ethnicity, gender or age who may have barriers to housing, education, employment or need support to manage their health and social and emotional wellbeing. We believe that every person has strengths and deserves to succeed, and it is possible for change to occur in many areas to enable a person to find stability and prosperity.
This award continues to acknowledge those people who make significant contributions to SYC.
A member of the Law Society of South Australia, Arabella joined the SYC Board in 2007. Arabella has practised as a lawyer in the area of commercial transactional and advisory law since 2000, which enables her to successfully apply her extensive knowledge and experience across all areas of SYC responsibility. Arabella’s commitment and passion for SYC is held in high regard by her fellow Board Members and SYC staff.
David joined the SYC Board in 2006. He was appointed Chair in 2010, which has enabled him to apply his considerable expertise in management, governance, marketing and property development to the expanding SYC operation. Throughout David’s period as Chair, SYC has experienced substantial and sustainable growth of revenue and scope across Australia, which is a testimony to his strong leadership, a lifetime of experience and wise counsel.
In 2020 we were successful in winning the Community Service Order program. This allows us to support young people through a rehabilitation focus to give back to the community within which they have offended while supporting their individual growth and social responsibility.
Since commencing the program, we have supported 52 young people. Collectively they have completed 322 hours of community service through activities focused on building independence and a positive future.
Angas was referred to SYC to be part of the Building Links program. This program provides students hands-on experience by renovating and remodelling a Housing SA property, while completing accredited training. Angas was unsure about the course as he hadn’t considered a career in construction and he was also nervous about completing the theory aspect of the training. Very quickly Angas settled in and began to excel.
SYC believes Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
This year our Reconciliation Working Group has prepared a Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan in consultation with local staff members, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, elders, and state-based and national Reconciliation bodies. We have set key targets for the organisation in the areas of Relationships, Respect, Opportunities and Governance to be achieved by 2022.
Our Diversity and Inclusion Group has collaborated with our Reconciliation Working Group and People and Wellbeing Group to celebrate several awareness days including International Women’s Day, IDAHOBIT Day, Youth Homelessness Matters Day, National Sorry Day, National Reconciliation Week and Harmony Week through staff activities and engagements both in person and online. This has provided opportunities for our teams to connect with each other across the divides of lockdown and promoted open conversations about inclusion and wellbeing.
This year we were also proud to become a member of Diversity Council Australia.
SYC is committed to reducing its environmental impact by enhancing practices that promote sustainability including:
This year we clarified our objectives and set an action plan to deliver sustainable operations through our choices in waste management and energy use, education for our workforce and tenants, and beginning to design our property expansion plans in line with principles of sustainable development.
We wish to thank our corporate partners, community groups and individuals that helped to support and advocate for our work, programs, and services. The commitment of funds, skills, influence, and time allows us to enhance our impact and provide more opportunities for the people we work with.
Some names in this report have been changed.
