Fortescue community grant supports positive mental health outcomes for youth in the Pilbara

Fortescue Metals Group (Fortescue) is supporting the Youth Involvement Council’s (YIC) Mindfulness and Meditation for Youth Program in the Pilbara which is designed to empower 5-10 year old children with the skills to regulate their emotions and reduce stress and anxiety.

YIC was awarded a grant through Fortescue’s Community Support program to assist with the delivery of a weekly workshop based in South Hedland during the first two school terms this year.

The program was developed by Roxanne Dow, a YIC Youth Worker who also owns her own meditation and mindfulness business.

“There weren’t any programs available like this when my kids were growing up in Karratha. My goal was to bring this type of program to at risk kids in Pilbara communities. The program teaches kids the basics of mindfulness and meditation – including breathing exercises, visualisations, journaling, affirmations and yoga – to help them stay calm, focussed and relaxed.”

“Fortescue has been a great supporter of the program and through the community grant, we’ve been able to get it off the ground. This is the second year that the program has received funding and some of the kids have already made significant transformations,” Ms Dow said.

Fortescue’s Hedland Operations General Manager, Katie Day said from the outset it was Fortescue’s vision to empower the communities in which it operates by supporting local organisations like the YIC that deliver meaningful outcomes.

“At Fortescue, we are committed to building thriving communities and are proud to support a program that is working to improve the mental health outcomes for children living in the Pilbara,” Ms Day said.

The next round of the Community Support program opens for applications in September 2019. For more information, visit www.fmgl.com.au.