A Shared Vision
for Reconciliation
Parkerville Children and Youth Care has reaffirmed its commitment to reconciliation with the launch of its Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) for 2024-2026. This plan reflects our dedication to fostering meaningful relationships, embracing cultural knowledge, and promoting reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians.
Reconciliation is a continuous journey - one that demands active listening, learning, and action. The Innovate RAP provides a structured framework that enables us to deepen our understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories, and perspectives. It also strengthens our organisational practices to ensure they are respectful, inclusive, and culturally responsive.
The decision to stay at the Innovate level is endorsed by Parkerville CEO Kim Brooklyn, who states that ‘Reconciliation is not merely an aspirational goal but a necessary journey that requires collective effort, genuine engagement, and sustained action from all people.’
By committing to the Innovate RAP level, we as an organisation are recognising that we want to continue building a strong foundation that is built on trust, respect, and knowledge sharing.
Parkerville has been actively engaged in reconciliation since launching its first Innovate RAP in 2020. Over the years, we have taken significant steps to foster reconciliation and healing. These efforts include increasing the number of endorsed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identified positions within our organisation and partnering with Aboriginal-led organisations such as Wungening Aboriginal Corporation and Koya Aboriginal Corporation. These partnerships aim to enhance cultural competence and strengthen relationships within the community.
As an organisation that supports children, young people, and families, we recognise the deep significance of Culture and the essential role of inclusiveness and belonging. Our commitment is clear:
- We are dedicated to continual consultation, collaboration, and learning from children, young people, families, and communities.
- Our practices are designed to be respectful and responsive to the diverse needs and values of the communities we serve.
- We are committed to creating safe and welcoming spaces for all, free from stereotyping, discrimination, prejudice, and racism.
- We will walk alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to advance genuine reconciliation.
The importance of making considered and intentional changes to programs and practice is evident in our Young Women’s Program. This program provides safe and affordable short- to medium-term accommodation for mothers and single women, alongside support for parenting and independent living skills. Through the RAP, staff have shifted their approach—not only acknowledging the identity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in the program but actively supporting them in their cultural journey.
One of the young women, Penny*, finds solace and expression through traditional art. Staff have supported her by displaying her artwork in their offices and commissioning her to create pieces for other programs within Parkerville. By providing art supplies and celebrating her work, the Young Women’s Program is fostering a strong connection to culture, reinforcing the value of cultural identity and self-expression.
Through this RAP, we are not only strengthening our internal capabilities but also reinforcing our vision of an equitable and reconciled Australia. We believe that every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child, family, and community should have the same life chances and choices as all Australians. By embedding reconciliation into our everyday work, we are taking meaningful steps toward achieving this goal.
We invite our staff, partners, and the broader community to join us on this journey.
To learn more about our Innovate RAP, visit parkerville.org.au/reconciliation
* Names and images have been changed to safeguard the privacy of the children, young people, and families we support.^
Our Commitment to Reconciliation:
Parkerville Children and Youth Care Incorporated (Parkerville CYC) acknowledges the deep significance of Culture and the foundational role of inclusiveness and belonging. We are committed to continual consultation, collaboration, and learning from children, young people, families and communities. Our practices are respectful and responsive to the diverse needs and values of the communities we serve. We are dedicated to creating spaces that are safe and welcoming for all.
We are committed to walking alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples towards genuine reconciliation. We are strengthening our organisation every day. We embrace cultural knowledge, and we are creating a safe and welcoming space that is free of stereotyping, discrimination, prejudice, and racism.
Our vision is that in an equitable and reconciled Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families and communities will have the same life chances and choices as non-Indigenous children and will experience the same quality of life.