Reflecting on our youth disaster resilience program

Working with young people in the wake of multiple disasters has shown us both what’s possible and what’s hard.

Our Surviving Disasters: Northern Rivers youth training has thoughtfully taken shape, guided by young people themselves. We started with insightful student consultants at Evans River High, who helped rename the program and shape how we approach youth resilience. Along the way, we’ve seen powerful moments, like Randy (pictured), who used his training to support his uncle during a snakebite and helped his family prepare calmly for Cyclone Alfred.

But we’ve also faced challenges. School timetables are packed, priorities shift, and many young people are still carrying the emotional weight of past disasters. Youth disengagement is a very real hurdle we are trying to find creative solutions to.

We’re now exploring new delivery models that meet young people where they are: out-of-school sessions, youth group partnerships, and tailored offerings for different needs. This term, we’re at Mullumbimby High, with a holiday program planned in Murwillumbah too.

If you know a youth group, sports team, leadership program, or collective of 14–24 year-olds, we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch with Jen at jen@planc.org.au.