Abstract

The Advance program aims to provide opportunities for young people in secondary schools in Victoria, Australia to participate in community life thereby strengthening their links with community organizations. In addition to this the Advance program provides an opportunity for young people and schools to connect with major volunteer organisations. These organisations extend to Wildlife Victoria, CFA, Scouts, Police Cadets, Environmental Groups and Bicycle Victoria. Young people involved in the program are expected to identify an issue or issues of concern in their local community. Once an issue is raised an applied project plan is created alongside community activities or a community project that address the issue at hand. It is hoped that the creation of a project/activities will assist in creating positive outcomes and opportunities that will benefit the broader community and young people. This paper outlines key findings of the evaluation of the program and aims to: •Develop and implement tools and procedures for mapping and monitoring the program model;•Analyse the Advance model and its impact on relevant stakeholders who are involved in this initiative. •Co-ordinate and conduct activities that evaluate the Advance model •Review the extent to which Advance has met its stated aims and objectives to date;•Place the evaluation of the Advance model in the context of existing social policy, youth participation and community initiatives for this target group in Victoria. The study provides a snapshot of how flexible school based programs can strengthen community building capacity for both government secondary schools and local community organisations (Groundwater-Smith et al 2007).