Listen: Wendy Paroz joined Salt 106.5's Steve D to share more about the work of SPROUT and to celebrate what this award means.
By Natalie BennettWednesday 30 Aug 2023The Long Lunch with SteveInspirational StoriesReading Time: 2 minutes
Local teacher and support worker Wendy Paroz’s initiative to help children who are NDIS participants impacted by crisis or trauma has been recognised with a 2023 Kawana Electorate Community Award.
After 30 years’ of teaching and behavioural support Wendy became aware of a need for support workers who were equipped to manage NDIS participants displaying challenging behaviours or those impacted by trauma.
“Every child should have the opportunity to be understood, enjoy the encouragement of success and delight in a variety of life experiences that allow their little personalities shine,” Wendy explained.
“As a support worker I was often in a situation where I’d have to tell a discouraged, exhausted parent that I was unable to help them because I couldn’t take on any more clients and, disappointingly, could not suggest anyone else who could.
“So my church founded a charity called SPROUT to help children sprout and flourish, particularly those who couldn’t find appropriate support elsewhere,” Wendy said.
Wendy’s team of support workers delight in the opportunity to get to the other side of challenging behaviours because, in her words, “It’s the place where you get to see the true identity of unique, hilarious, thoughtful, generous, custom-made little people – the ones that Mums and Dads know.”
SPROUT’s support approach is rooted in evidence-based research that says repeated positive and strategic activities will contribute to healing and build self-esteem and confidence in children.
If families want to contact SPROUT to discuss their child’s needs, they can do so via email [email protected] or message us from our social media pages.
Wendy joined Salt 106.5’s Steve D to share more about the work of SPROUT and to celebrate what this award means. Listen to full interview in the player above.
SPROUT Support Centre was founded this year with the help of a Carinity Collaborative Community Projects grant. A program that sees Carinity partner with Queensland Baptist churches to help fund community outreach programs that will enrich peoples’ lives and assist them to reach their full potential.
SPROUT is a not-for-profit company established by members of LIVE church in Caloundra.