WELCOME TO OPENING THE DOORS FOUNDATION WEBSITE

An Indigenous Education Foundation established to:

• empower and support Indigenous Families to make choices in educational opportunities for their children;
• help "open the doors" of independent educational institutions in Victoria for Indigenous students;
• be a model of self-empowerment and self-determination by creating an organisation that responds directly to the needs of its own community.

National Statistics recorded in the Human Rights & Equal Opportunities Commission, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Social Justice section, paint a picture of continuing severe disadvantage for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia especially in the areas of health, employment, child care, housing and education. The Victorian Government Indigenous Affairs Report 2002 - 2004 documents that same disadvantage. In the area of post compulsory (15-19 years) education only 64% of Indigenous students participate as opposed to 87.6% of non-Indigenous students; 35% less indigenous children parApril 4, 2009

According to this report, 38.8% of the Victorian Indigenous population is under the age of 15 years with 57% under the age of 25 years as opposed to the non-indigenous population where only 20.3% are under the age of 15 and 34.1% under the age of 25.

These statistics are inherent in the emerging understanding of the need for positive and successful educational opportunities for young Indigenous Victorians. The Doors need to be opened and we need to encourage young Indigenous students through them. We need to travel the journey with them from Prep to Year 12, encouraging, supporting and ensuring that they have access to all the "extras" - uniforms, books, camps, leadership experiences, music etc. that ensures a feeling of belonging and of fully participating in experiences without financial disadvantage.

The Opening the Doors Foundation is responding to long-term and constant requests from the Indigenous community in Victoria for support and encouragement to achieve educational success, to encourage aspirations and to dream future possibilities.

In the words of a parent of one successful applicant:

"This young man has a dream - thank you for your part in helping him make it come true..."

AND SO, PLEASE ...

Enter our web site, browse, learn about us ... make contact with us ... support us ... spread the word ... You are welcome!

Carol Messer
Development Officer - June 2001 - 2005

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