Toys Change Lives – A culturally meaningful employment pathway program

A Second Chance

TCL provides hope, training, and support to previously incarcerated Indigenous Youth allowing them to redirect their lives and become contributing members of our community.

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Donations Welcomed

TCL is not government funded. We are completely self-funded, through sales from the toys the team make, and through the generosity of people like you who want to help close the gap.

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Become a Volunteer

We sure could do with a hand…woodwork mentoring, market stall staffing, shop assistant on Saturday mornings, sewing our ‘Luby Cuddlies’….room for everyone to help close the gap!

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Buy Up Big!

When you purchase toys & gifts from TCL you contribute directly to the solution for repeat youth recidivism. All sales go directly back into opening up more plaes in the TCL Program.

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Take a minute to watch this video…

Watch this short video to see what TCL is all about…second chances, employment and youth community.

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Indigenous Youth have graduated from TCL...You can help this number to grow

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of Australian Youth are of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Background

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of Australian Youth under Juvenile Justice supervision are Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

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of young offenders in ACMENA Juvenile Detention Centre in Grafton are Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander

Sponsor an entire place in the TCL Program, or a couple of new paint brushes, either way you change a life forever.

There are many expenses that TCL juggles to provide the experiences, the mentoring, the workspace and tools required to deliver our 12 month program. Donations of time, money and materials are most welcomed.

Camping On Country

June 3, 2018

Cultural re-connection is part of the wrap-around support TCL aims to provide our at-risk youth. We are working towards a quarterly three-day camp but need help to acquire the tents and 'camp kitchen'.

Raised: $0.00

Goal: $2,600.00

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Sanding Equipment

June 3, 2018

Help us save for our much needed Vertical Oscillating Bench Bobbin Sander. The cost is $495. The bobbin sander will allow us to increase professionalism and productivity in our workshop.

Raised: $0.00

Goal: $495.00

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Go Shopping In Our Online Store

The perfect excuse for a bit of socially responsible retail therapy!
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Our Mission

Reduce Recidivism in Indigenous Youth

The overrepresentation of Indigenous Youth in the criminal justice system is one of Australia’s most significant social problems. Indigenous Youth make up only 5% of Australia’s youth population, yet they account for over 52% of 10 to 17-year-olds in juvenile detention across Australia. TCL’s main mission is to reduce this rate.

Employment Pathways

After being released from juvenile detention, it’s difficult for young offenders to re-enter their community without prejudice, and very easy to fall back into negative behaviours & peer groups. TCL solves both these issues by providing a first step into unprejudiced employment and a peer group who are on their way to a self-empowered future.

Youth Leadership

Who better to lead than someone who has already walked the path you’re on? TCL graduates become true leaders and positive role models for their peers. With a level of rapport & credibility that can only be gained from ‘living it’, TCL graduates are able to present at-risk youth with an alternative future.

Housing Stability

A stable home greatly increases the chance of TCL Youth graduating from the program and maintaining their new future. TCL is working with the community and local business to secure Team Homes for TCL Youth.

Upcoming Events

17 Oct

The Toys Change Lives Team

Toys Change Lives is a team, a family, a learning circle for us all. Read a little about our current Team and also our TCL Graduates…Gotta love good news stories!