Catalyst program gives people chance to learn

as posted on TheWest


t was a 30-year wait, but it’s now changed Alex Prudnicki’s life.

The Perth man, 50, has finally stepped back into a classroom again - and he might come out of it with a tertiary qualification.

Mr Prudnicki, who has suffered depression for eight years, enrolled in Mission Australia’s Catalyst program in February.

Seven weeks into the course, his friends and family are already noticing his improved confidence and self-esteem.

“This is about challenging myself,” Mr Prudnicki said.

“I have suffered from depression for many years… you find yourself in a black hole and there is no light at the end of the tunnel but I have been fortunate along the way that when I realised I needed help I was lucky to find some wonderful people.”

He “landed on his feet” when placed at Mission Australia’s Wattle House community centre in the Perth suburb of Maddington during a Work for the Dole scheme nearly a year ago.

He has not looked back since noticing a poster at the centre about a new Catalyst program and deciding to give it a go.

The former tradesman, businessman and youth worker never dreamed of going to university but says being back in the classroom had changed his life.

“It’s very exciting and along with all that goes the things that normal students get, like the anxiety of doing an essay.

“I haven’t done any studies for about 30 years but the concept of this program is to challenge yourself.”

Mr Prudnicki admitted that while studying was hard work, it was also a lot of fun and he was surrounded by encouraging and positive people.

He barely thought about his depression these days and was even tossing up the idea of studying for a degree at university after the course.

Mission Australia officially launched the new Catalyst program tonight.

The Woodside-sponsored course is aimed at providing people who may not normally access university education with enrolment in a course at Edith Cowan University.

The course encourages people experiencing significant life challenges to change their situation through hitting the books.

Catalyst program co-ordinator Louise Oakley said students needed to have a desire to learn, are able to commit to a 12-week program and have a health care card.

Ms Oakley said it was about encouraging students to examine, contemplate and question the world around them, and at the same time build self-esteem.

The program provides accredited university courses in a community setting where the students feel familiar and comfortable.

Volunteers from corporate and community sectors will provide one-on-one support to course participants at weekly meetings.

Woodside vice president of sustainable development Vanessa Guthrie said the company believed that education created opportunities not just for the person but for the community.

Mission Australia started the Catalyst program in Sydney three years ago.

It is based on the successful Clemente program model in the USA which operates worldwide.

KAREN HODGE

as posted on TheWest