Many people leaving the prison system aren’t equipped to deal with the challenges of modern life. Sadly, all too frequently, many people who had served prison terms were turning up on our doorstep wearing their prison greens with no clue of where else to go, or how to navigate the world in front of them.
Creating Futures was established in response to community needs and developed to address the over-representation of Aboriginal people in the criminal justice system. The program is designed to help and empower Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people who have recently been released from prison, and give them every chance to create a positive future for themselves.
When we’re ready to make them steps... y’know, they’re here. The power’s always with you. It’s never like you feel you are being led. It’s always the decisions you make, and they just assist you getting there.
- Creating Futures Client
A guided 12-month journey of transition
As part of the program, we equip people with a structured 12-month plan which includes bail, pre and post-release support, plus diversionary options. We believe that, by connecting with people 12 weeks before their release, we can significantly increase their chances of successfully integrating back into the community.
Our team provides practical support in the following ways:
- Obtaining essential identification documentation
- Setting up bank accounts
- Organising referrals to specialised services
- Ensuring our clients can access cultural health and wellbeing initiatives
108
Number of clients supported through intensive casework 2022 - 2023
52
Clients currently active
85%
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander clients
4.11% re-offending rate
compared with the NSW average rate of 57.3% for Aboriginal people aged 18-30 (Source: Creating Futures Evaluation 2020).
Creating Futures Independent Evaluation Report
The effectiveness of Creating Futures is highlighted in our recent Independent Evaluation Report, written by Melanie Schwartz and Mareese Terare. See the Executive Summary below.
Cultural Health & Wellbeing Camp
In August 2018, we co-facilitated the first Cultural Health & Wellbeing Camp – Walu-Win Gundyarri, providing young Indigenous men with the opportunity to reconnect with themselves and their culture.
“Being out here and learning culture and learning, and being away from phone reception and cities and being away from so many people, you gain a headspace where you learn who you are and who you want to be.” – Uncle Waylon, Wakagetti Indigenous Corporation
Find Us
Open Monday to Friday 9:30am – 5pm.
Phone: 02 9318 0539
Address: Weave HQ, Waterloo | Gadigal Land | Corner Elizabeth & Allen Streets, Waterloo, NSW, 2017
Artwork created by local Aboriginal artist, Linda Jackson.