There must be another way.

That question inspired the launch of Thrive & Connect.

Two years ago, armed with some homemade t-shirts, second-hand fishing gear and a team of loyal volunteers, we set out to build something different.

Belief and good intentions only take you so far though, and we knew that if we were going to test our belief, we needed to understand what actually drives positive outcomes for young people.

That search led us to the science of neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to adapt and change through experience. Central to our work is the understanding that the experiences we have shape our development, and that adolescence is one of the most powerful windows for growth.

What if, even for short periods of time, we could surround young people with relationships and environments that left them feeling capable, valued, supported and significant? Could behaviour improve, motivation increase, and hope return for those who have only known barriers and setbacks?

That was our hypothesis.

Now, as we enter our third year, with more than 150 young people having participated in our programs, we can say with confidence: yes, there is another way.

Throughout this newsletter, you'll read stories about how small wins become meaningful shifts in trajectory. Lasting change often begins with a single opportunity, a trusted relationship, or an adult willing to believe in a young person before they believe in themselves.

At Thrive & Connect, our philosophy is simple: We Go First.

We go first with genuine belief, trust, high support and high expectations.

More often than not, young people rise to meet them.

Jase Tom
Founder & CEO

Thrive & Connect began with 23 young people participating in a six-week High School Readiness Program during the 2024 Christmas holidays.

In 2025, that number grew to 55 young people participating across 76 sessions. Less than halfway through 2026, a further 77 young people have already engaged with our programs and initiatives, taking the total to more than 150 and leaving limited space on our Hub walls for the ever-growing end-of-program photo collage.

Last week, our team came together to map the next chapter of Thrive & Connect. The message was clear: what we are doing works. Young people are responding, communities are engaging, and demand continues to grow.

The challenge ahead is no longer proving the model. It is creating more pathways for young people to access it.

Two initiatives will play an important role in that journey.

• The first is the Thrive Hub, a weekly drop-in space designed to provide ongoing connection, support and opportunity beyond our formal programs.

• The second is Cast & Connect, a social enterprise initiative designed to strengthen our sustainability and help us reach more young people across Far North Queensland.

• 🎣 Cast & Connect Come and Try Day | 19 June
  A free afternoon giving young people and families the opportunity to experience Cast & Connect before the July holiday program begins.

• 🎓 Thrive Guiding Graduation | Week commencing 22 June
  Our Thrive Guiding participants will celebrate the completion of their 10-week journey and begin working with mentors on their next steps.

• 🎯 CQU Year 10 Career Experience | 25 June
  We'll be delivering interactive activities showcasing youth work and mentoring as a potential career pathway.

• 🐟 Cast & Connect Holiday Program| 6–10 July
  Our first five-day fishing and mentoring adventure for young people aged 10–14 launches across some of Cairns' favourite fishing locations.

Thrive Guiding continues to provide after-school mentoring and re-engagement support for young people aged 11-15 across Cairns.

Supported this year through the Queensland Government’s Kickstarter Grant, the program has continued to grow while maintaining the small-group, relationship-based approach that sits at the centre of the work. Transport support has remained a big focus too, helping remove one of the most common barriers to consistent participation for young people and families.

Referrals continue to come from schools, community organisations, and Youth Justice partners. We are also seeing an increase in self-referrals as more young people hear about our programs and actively seek opportunities to get involved. We have seen many young people build confidence, develop stronger emotional regulation skills, form positive peer relationships, and re-engage with school and their wider community. 

The Power of Showing Up!

While our days may look like fishing trips, cooking meals, and fun community activities, the real work happens in the moments between. 

We’re seeing young people encourage each other more, step into leadership naturally during activities and build stronger relationships with both mentors and peers over time.

One young person joined our program after experiencing regular school suspensions and displaying a strong distrust of adults. As we approach the end of his 10-week program, the growth has been remarkable. His confidence has increased significantly, he has become more comfortable expressing his thoughts and emotions, and we have seen a noticeable reduction in risk-taking behaviours that were previously used to gain approval from peers.

Recently, he shared a moment he was particularly proud of:

"I wanted to join in on wagging school with them, but I chose to stay in class."

For us this was a huge win, showing us improved decision-making skills, and a young person beginning to make choices based on his own values rather than the expectations of others.

A big part of Thrive Guiding is simply creating a space where young people feel safe enough to keep showing up, be themselves and gradually build confidence over time.

"One person can make a big difference in someone's life. Thrive and Connect has done that for me." - Program Participant

Program Lead - Jamie Dickinson

More than fishing…

Some of the most meaningful mentoring moments we've shared with young people have happened standing beside the water, cooking a feed or travelling between fishing spots.

That's what inspired the creation of Cast & Connect.

Fishing is simply the vehicle. The real focus is helping young people build confidence, communication skills, resilience, self-regulation and positive social connections.

This July, we're launching our first five-day Cast & Connect Holiday Program for young people aged 10–14. From Palm Cove Jetty to freshwater creek lure fishing and a road trip to Port Douglas, participants will enjoy fishing adventures, outdoor experiences and team challenges, with mentoring and personal development woven throughout. We’re also hosting a ‘Come and Try’ afternoon on the 19th of June.

At a time when many families are concerned about screen time, social isolation and wellbeing, Cast & Connect offers young people in the wider community the opportunity to get outdoors, learn new skills, build friendships and connect with positive role models.

How You Can Support

One of the best ways you can support Cast & Connect is by helping us spread the word. Please share the program with your family, friends, school community or anyone who may benefit from the experience. 🌐 www.castnconnect.com.au

You can also purchase a Cast & Connect fishing shirt with every shirt sold helping us to continue creating positive opportunities for young people across our community.

Young people are growing up in a world changing faster than ever before.

As AI, automation and technology continue reshaping the workforce, research is increasingly pointing to the same thing: the skills that matter most are often the ones technology can’t replace.

Communication. Adaptability. Emotional regulation. Critical thinking. Problem solving. The ability to work well with other people.

Research from the World Health Organization, Jobs and Skills Australia and Australian Industry Group continues to highlight the growing importance of these human capabilities across employment, wellbeing and long-term participation in community life. 

At the same time, many schools, employers and community organisations are seeing increasing challenges around disengagement, resilience, communication, emotional regulation and social connection.

Future-Ready Skills was developed in response to that shift.

Using practical activities, mentoring, group work and real-world experiences, the program helps people build confidence, communication, adaptability, self-awareness and problem-solving skills in a way that feels engaging and relevant rather than clinical or classroom-heavy.

While the model was initially developed for young people, we’ve already begun delivering versions of the program across both youth and frontline workforce settings, including with security guards and community-facing teams where communication, regulation and relational skills are becoming increasingly important.

Programs can be delivered through schools, councils, youth organisations, workforce initiatives and community settings.

We’re currently looking to connect with organisations interested in practical, relationship-based approaches to youth engagement, workforce capability and future readiness.

Learn more or register interest at  thriveconnectaus.com/future-ready-skills

As Thrive & Connect continues to grow, we're looking to connect with individuals, businesses, community organisations and funding partners who share our belief in the potential of young people.

We're currently seeking support in three key areas:

• Building the Thrive Hub
  We're seeking sponsorship to establish the Thrive Hub, a weekly drop-in space where young people can stay connected to mentors, positive peers, meals, activities and ongoing support long after a formal program has ended.

• Continuing Thrive Guiding: Her Way
  Following a successful pilot, we're seeking funding and sponsorship to continue delivering our girls mentoring program, helping young women build confidence, emotional regulation, positive relationships and stronger connections to school and community.

• Future Ready Skills
  We're seeking support for equipment and resources, including Chromebooks, technology and learning materials, to help young people build the communication, problem-solving, adaptability and life skills needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

We know it takes a village to support young people, and we're incredibly grateful for every person and organisation that chooses to walk alongside us.

Whether it's funding, fishing equipment, art and craft supplies, groceries for shared meals, technology, volunteer time or other in-kind support, every contribution helps us continue creating opportunities for young people across Far North Queensland.

If you'd like to explore partnership opportunities or learn more about supporting our work, we'd love to hear from you.

Jason Tom | Founder & CEO
📧 jase@thriveconnectaus.com

Nicole Lucas | Impact Development Lead
📧 nic@thriveconnectaus.com

As we close out our first Thrive & Connect Community Update, we'd like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who has supported our journey so far.

A special thank you to Nomad Design and BKK Hooks for sponsoring Thrive & Connect and backing the work we're building across the community. Support like this plays an important role in helping grassroots organisations create practical, accessible opportunities for young people through connection, mentoring and positive community engagement.

We are equally grateful to the schools, community organisations, families, mentors, volunteers, supporters and partners who continue to walk alongside us. Every referral, conversation, contribution and act of encouragement helps create opportunities for young people to build confidence, connection and a stronger sense of belonging.

Thank you for being part of the Thrive & Connect story. Together, we're creating opportunities for young people to thrive.