Week 7

NASCA

NASCA is an organization which specializes in efforts to enable Aboriginal equality and cultural pride. NASCA works with Aboriginal young people to empower them through health, education, sport and cultural programs. Through their activities and programs, NASCA places heavy emphasis on integrity, professionalism, and cultural pride. They aim for the highest quality in everything they do and cater towards diverse needs and learning abilities. NASCA's main purpose is to create a more equitable playing field. They belive its achievable and its the right thing to do. Statistics show that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians are more likely to live in disadvantaged areas, less likely to complete school and enter into employment, and have high incarceration, morbidity and mortality rates. The gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people is wide and deep. NASCA’s activities are aligned to the Australian Government’s ‘Closing the Gap’ strategy. Our organisation initially focused on sport as a vehicle to achieve our aims as it reflects a number of values held in high esteem in the community, such as fair play, teamwork, cooperation and inclusion. Sport also focuses on what’s possible to achieve while showcasing people’s capabilities, rather than dwelling on the negatives. NASCA has evolved to broaden its scope and now includes educational and cultural initiatives, personal development activities and community involvement programs. These are delivered mainly through schools, camps and other channels in contact with young Aboriginal people. We continue to use sport as a vehicle for engagement on our journey to inspire Aboriginal youth. NASCA is a great program and is very similar to a program which I have worked with in the past called Big Brothers Big Sisters. Big Brothers Big Sisters is an organization which provides sponsors or role models for children through time times. Sponsors are free to chose which outlette they think will worst best for their little. It is a great program which helps build confidence, intelligence, and trust. NASCA is doing a great thing by having so many different outlets to connect and help the children. I hope the organization continues to grow.