Success Stories

Youth Opportunities and Raise Foundation with Kain Lawyers

FROM THE JUDGES:

Engaging in a multi-sector collaboration in an area of clear need where the skills of the legal firm’s employees were used to great effect.”

RESULTS + IMPACT

  • Great collaboration and partnership across four entities – Kain Lawyers, Salisbury High School and two non-profits – Raise Foundation and Youth Opportunities
  • WPG donations and Foundation funding
  • 100% of the employer partner’s team members were involved in the program
  • Excellent partnership goals established, leading to great outcomes for students in need
  • Students provided with real experience and exemplary mentoring
  • Charity partners took learnings and insights into other partnerships

 OVERVIEW + HIGHLIGHTS

Each year, through the delivery of evidence-based personal leadership programs, Youth Opportunities equips more than 2,000 young people across South Australia with the skills to overcome adversity, build resilience and optimism, and prepare for their future, while also providing access to opportunities which reduce barriers to achieving their potential.

Kain are Transaction Specialists and advise in private and public M&A, equity and debt raisings, capital structuring and transaction disputes. The firm is ranked as one of Australia’s top mid-market transaction firms. The organisation established Kain Foundation in 2005. Kain Lawyers team members contribute to the Foundation in two ways – by working ‘hands on’ on a project aimed at providing economic and educational opportunities to disadvantaged children and youth, and by making a fortnightly financial contribution to the Foundation with the business matching contributions dollar for dollar.

Youth Opportunities was delighted to be engaged by Kain to be involved in an experimental partnership between Kain Lawyers, Raise Foundation and Salisbury High School to provide an innovative four-year program of support for young people in need. Called the ‘Northern Opportunities’ program, it offers students with a comprehensive support package from Year 9 through to the end of Year 12, including mentoring, personal leadership programs, scholarships, basic workplace skills, financial literacy and a paid cadetship. The first cohort of 15 students commenced in 2020, the second in 2021, and two subsequent cohorts will commence in 2022 and 2023.