Johnstone and Kelynack Houses have had a relationship with Oasis (Salvation Army) for many years. Oasis operates a Crisis Centre for homeless youth and supports them through counselling, crisis and transitional accommodation and legal services, as well as other services.

I first began this project by contacting a representative at Oasis to ask for some Green Oasis leaflets. Green Oasis is a gardening social enterprise, where disadvantaged young people, aided by a supervisor will do a homeowner’s lawn, hedges, trim their branches and weed gardens.

On 22 August after school, 25 Year 10 and Year 12 Johnstone and Kelynack students went to Haberfield to do a door knock and leaflet drop to promote the service. The students were split up into groups of three or four to cover eight different areas in a period of an hour. They knocked on doors to try to persuade householders to use the service and left leaflets when no one was home. We did get some positive responses from people interested in using the services of Green Oasis to do their gardening for them.

What I learnt from this experience is that people within the community do need such service, especially if they are older and require assistance.

If you are interested in using this service, please look at the Johnstone or Kelynack Space page or ring Glendon at Oasis on 0408 301339.

Jason Chan (12/JN)