The underprivileged teens of the western suburbs such as Mt Druitt are often scrutinized over their lack of ability to make their own decisions and are also stereotyped in to the ‘husos’ and ‘bogans’ category. There is a vast misconception here, youth and teens from the western suburbs grow up to me just as successful as any other persons in Sydney. However they is a minority in which don’t have the support or have bad influences surrounding them or even maybe disabilities these are just some factors that affect the capabilities of young Australians. In regards to the underprivileged youth SBS documentary ‘Struggle Street’ displayed how teens in such poor situations are putting in their best efforts to achieve a better lifestyle and enhance their potential.

The rise of motivation for many young teenagers to enhance their potential and capabilities or to just make sure they are staying out of trouble comes from organisational support such as the Street University which aims at creating opportunities and allowing these troubled youths to realise their own innate capabilities. While being one organisation in creating a social change for the disadvantage/troubled teens in the western suburbs, there is still a lack of support and one organisation cannot take on such a big demographic social change on this issue.

Being an individual and being grateful enough to have what I have and to be in a surrounded in a positive and supportive community, I feel this is the environment the young youth of today who are struggling and in need. Being one person it will initially be hard, but working alongside social change groups such as Street University will allow a personal level of interaction, support and effective reinforcement of a positive mind set to be place forth with those willing to embrace the opportunity given. It will also allow a better influential circle to form for those whom are suffering from bad influential figures in hopes that this support will lead to a positive change enabling the youth to understand their worth in which will create or boost the generational reputation but also give opportunities to these youth that they thought were disclosed to them.

Having a more individualistic outlook and being a young youth myself, the connection with communication with other teenagers would be easier, understanding their situations. These lay down the fundamentals of what has to be done, there is evidently a lack of supportive groups in the inner west regions and advocating for the social change would see clear results in the attitudes of the disadvantaged teens. Writing letters and campaigning even petitioning for a volunteer run education program to cater for all ages would enhance and perhaps even motivate the youth of the area to gain knowledge. The idea of this program will cater for practical skills in which can allow the youth to be competitive in the work force. However due to many in the western suburbs such as Mt Druitt struggling to make ends meet financial it is important that these educational programs come at a low cost and most importantly is reimburse by the government. Many will argue that the government has already given enough funding to these individuals however many teenagers are still being influenced by the wrong pressures in their lifestyle. Hence these facilities which can be run in community centres surrounding the area with the help of volunteer teaching staff will see a positive support system set up. Petitioning for such a social change will evidently bring to light the importance of the youth alongside what adversities they are facing restricting them in taking hold of their life in a positive way.

Being able to speak about how one can work alongside already set up organisations along with bring the issue up with the local council/government, it is also crucial to ask what individualistic impact can I make. Being young and lacking in funds to set up a proper organisation let alone recruit enough pupils to assist is a hurdle someone my age will face, but with the support of the local council and citizens establishing a youth lounge would be ideal. Youth lounge will consist of weekend facilities in the local hall at particular times of the days were small support systems such as tutors, extracurricular facilitators and even provided food. To engage the community with youth assistance they will need to be prior planning and a large support for the idea to go ahead will be heavily needed. Hence to go forth the flyers and cheap yet effective marketing will be engaged, local news articles and attendance to local community meetings will show the great initiative.

Despite being one person it is very important to understand that every youth of today’s generation has a purpose to create a better life for themselves and for their community. The inner potential needs to be embraced and for those who have lacked the financial and positive support due to unfortunate circumstances it is important for those teens to realise they can still enhance their future through support systems. One individual can make a social change the advocate the need to give the younger and disadvantage individuals a knowledgeable and impactful life change. Along with Street University and Youth Week giving support.