Kurbingui Youth Development Association: Nonprofit of the Month for August 2010

Every month, Connecting Up Australia would be highlighting some of the nonprofit organisations that we work with through DonorTec and other programmes. For August 2010, our nonprofit in profile is Kurbingui Youth Development Association.

Who's Kurbingui Youth Development Association?

Kurbingui is an organisation that provides support services to the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people in the northern suburbs of Brisbane. According to their site, it was formed as a result of expressed needs identified through the participants and their families who supported and participated in the Kurbingui Boxing Club. The organisation is managed by a management team of Indigenous committed community members who voluntarily support the strategic development of the organisation. It was incorporated in 2001 and now employs nine staff members.

Can you tell us more about the origins of the name?

The name ‘Kurbingui’ is from the ‘Turrabul’ language meaning ‘transition from boy to man’ which demonstrates our original purpose of providing healthy and positive lifestyle pathways and opportunities for young people and their families.

Sue, Cissie, Cephia, Daniel and Issac (Kurbingui) explain how X-box works

What are the different services that you offer?

We provide access to on the job skills training in construction; administration and primary health care training and employment placement. We are consistently achieving a 70% placement rate. The Yeaca Dhargo (working altogether) family programs include family violence and drug & alcohol initiatives.

Issac from Kurbingui surfing the net, on one of our computers.

What was your DonorTec experience like?

Our first venture at purchasing online through DonorTec was a bit challenging at first but surprisingly we got the hang of it and won a prize for doing so. Wicked! When the software arrived it truly was like Christmas unwrapping all that stuff. We tried to think ahead to encompass our needs for the coming year at least, and the saving is immeasurable. This has meant that we can plan ahead for developing programs and know that we have the resources on hand instead of waiting for a funding opportunity.

Any other information about the association?

• Website: Kurbingui.org.au
• DonorTec: Kurbingui Case Study Page

Related Causes: indigenous, youths