AT SONDER,

Our mission is to improve youth mental health through positive action.

We inspire youth to create positive change to their mental wellbeing. We provide young people with the tools, knowledge, experience and confidence to be agents of positive change in their community. We create a ripple effect throughout the community, inspiring people to do the thing.

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Our Values

Assume best intent. Compassion for others. Be kind to yourself. Generosity. Gratitude. Respect.
We can make change. We can learn, grow, and change things for better. Our actions have a ripple effect.
Step up. Show up. Follow through. Do things that matter. Make positive change. Be brave. Do what needs to be done.

Our Mission

Our mission is to improve youth mental health through positive action.

Educate

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Innovate

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Empower

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Educate 〰️ Innovate 〰️ Empower 〰️

CORE PRINCIPLES

Designed to support youth wellbeing, teaching positive wellbeing strategies and supporting long-term behavioural change
Give participants a voice to address the issues which matter to THEM
Increase participants' belief in themselves and their abilities
Using the above strategies to support young people to be more resilient when facing challenges
Collaboration, peer-to-peer support and an opportunity to connect with people outside their circle
Provides an avenue to connect with community and develop a sense of belonging

BENEFIT TO PARTICIPANTS

The wellbeing impacts of the Changemakers Program are assessed using the EPOCH Measure for Adolescent Wellbeing.

We compare participants' wellbeing before and after the program, which has demonstrated improvements to:

Sonder Youth is run by young people, for young people.

Our team consists of young South Coast locals who are experienced Changemakers.

Avalon Bourne

Founder & Managing Director

Avalon has a Masters in Positive Psychology and is passionate about empowering individuals and communities to create positive change as a means to improve their own wellbeing. Avalon has worked on grassroots change projects in Vietnam, India and Kenya. She has also built her own tiny home!

**Takesa Frank**
***Project Officer***
Takesa has a degree in Geography majoring in Human Geography and minoring in Indigenous Studies. When she’s not working with Sonder Youth you’ll find her doing things to support her community. Takesa is passionate about First Nations & social justice, and protecting our planet. Takesa enjoys working with Sonder Youth as she gets to empower young people in the local community to create the changes they wish to see.

**Chris Petersilge**
***Grants & Sustainability Officer***
Chris has a background working in startups and supporting entrepreneurs across regional Australia. Originally from California, Chris is passionate about helping people make positive changes in their communities. Chris brings his experience of scaling impact-driven organisations to support Sonder Youth's sustainable growth.

**Gabbi Walker**
***Program Coordinator***
Gabbi is passionate about everything Sonder stands for. She loves getting to see young people make a change and achieve their goals, no matter how big or small. As a Changemaker alumni, Gabbi is excited to give young people a chance to feel heard and capable of making positive changes in their community. She always loves seeing some live music, getting to hang out with her friends and settling in with a good book.

**Oscar Moysey**
***Business Development Manager***
Oscar studies a degree in anthropology & sociology, focusing on global sustainable development (with minors in history & literature on the side). People, culture and storytelling are the common threads interweaving the self-described “beautifully messy” tapestry that is Oscar’s life. Oscar refuses to do just one thing in one place and is instead always chasing new adventures and deeper connections, living out a strong affinity with the idea of Sonder. Alongside student, Oscar has worn the titles of manager of a coffee & wine bar and project officer in a professional fundraising & philanthropy organisation over the past few years. Yet it is being a Sonder person, a changemaker, and in working with young people that Oscar finds hope and purpose. When not writing essays on the fly, you’ll find Oscar curating photographs, vinyls and postcards, reading beside the ocean, planning outfits for a music festival, training for a half marathon, restoring mid-century furniture or pickling various vegetables.

**Bella Dewsbury-Love**
***Social Media Manager & Program Leader***
Bella’s current aspiring adventures involve backpacking around Europe and seeing the world, hopefully trying every different food possible! Bella truly loves being a part of Sonder Youth and the positive impact it is making on the community alongside the empowerment of young people. She has a soft spot for early 2000s hits, turkish delights and sausage dogs! She hopes to see our world become a place where changes to create a sustainable environment and strengthen human connections are made, and she thinks with the voice and passion of young people, it can be done!

**Sid George**
***Program Leader***
One of the keys to Sid’s heart is through Sonder Youth. This is because of the strong friendships and connections that are able to be made. Sid’s time with Sonder Youth has shaped his passion for youth mental health and wellbeing. He’s now studying social work at university. His journey to this position today has been filled with joyful moments and memories. Sonder Youth are a family who are always there to support him.

**Em McNeil**
***Program Leader***
Em is a recent high school graduate and Changemakers alumni. She is committed to empowering young people to take action and create the changes they wish to see in the world. Emily’s dedication to sustainability and mental health drives her to inspire others to appreciate the beauty in life’s small, everyday moments. She is thrilled to be part of the Sonder team, and is excited to contribute to and further the positive impact Sonder continues to make within the community. Em loves beach days, sunny adventures, and quality time with her sausage dog, Cosmo.

**Will Dewsbury-Love**
***Program Leader***
Having just finished high school, Will has decided to take a break from studying and embark on the infamous ‘Gap year’. Will's first experience with Sonder Youth was in 2021 where he attended the Changemakers Camp evidentially falling in love with Sonder’s message. He then attended the changemakers program and became a changemakers alumni. Will loves being able to support young people to identify issues in their community and then provide the resources for them to make positive change. Will loves a good belly laugh, a crisp swim at the beach, and the occasional boogie!

Our Board Members

Sonder Youth is a Company Limited by Guarantee and is governed by an elected Board of Directors who oversee our policy, direction and governance.

**Sammi Stiff**
Sammi is Sonder’s Board Co-Chair and feels so lucky to have lived her whole live in the Shoalhaven. She loves spending time with her family and friends, sharing stories, music and laughter, especially over a lovely meal. Sammi loves being in, on or around water, but she spends most of her spare time living the farm life with her partner, highland cows, dogs, cats and many house plants. This has led her to the discovery that there is in fact such thing as too many house pets!
Sammi has worked with young people across the Shoalhaven for over 10 years across multiple job roles, but her favourite has been working with headspace Nowra as Community Engagement Officer and now as Work and Study Supervisor.
Sammi is passionate about many things, but the standout is ensuring young people have support and a safe space to achieve their own version of success.

**Jessica Richardson**
Having grown up on the South Coast, Jess is stoked to be able to be back living the saltwater lifestyle on the Shoalhaven and working for the community and young people in local government. Jess is a Community Development and Public Health professional, with experience working in Australia with migrants and refugees and in Vanuatu with women and people with disability on social inclusion and physical health programs. Jess is starting an adventure as a new mum and loves the change in pace and reminders to go with the flow. Plus she can't wait to show her bub the world!

Christian AvasaluWith a Bachelor's of Physical and Health Education and 5 years experience in Outdoor Education, Christian is a teacher of Science and Mathematics at The Scots College - Glengarry Campus. Having grown up on the South Coast of NSW, Ch… — **Christian Avasalu**
With a Bachelor's of Physical and Health Education and 5 years experience in Outdoor Education, Christian is a teacher of Science and Mathematics at The Scots College - Glengarry Campus. Having grown up on the South Coast of NSW, Christian has a rich experience and appreciation for the needs of his community. He is a lover of all things outdoors, hiking, riding, climbing and surfing and has a passion for ecology, health and the empowerment of young people. One of his self-confessed, fatal flaws is keeping far too many houseplants for any one human to look after.

**Sharlina Swan**
Sharlina is part owner of Financial Dynamics, chartered accountant, and mother of three grown girls.
Her passions are helping businesses and people, health and fitness, and continued personal growth. She just loves to get out in this area of ours and enjoy all it has to offer. Not only the stunning environment but also getting to know the beautiful community members.
When Sharlina had the opportunity to join the board of directors of Sonder, she was quick to put up her hand as it not only aligned with her values, but she loved what Sonder stood for. Sharlina has always been interested in people's stories, the psychology of people, and the amazing insights that can come from our youth.
Sharlina’s goal every day is to have someone say that she has made a difference in their life or in some small way, she made their day better. She is looking forward to bringing this to her new role, and being part of the journey and future of Sonder.

**Hayden Fineran**
Hayden has worked across the community sector for over 7 years for both Local Government and the Not for Profit, where he currently managers a large team across the Illawarra and Shoalhaven for the Flagstaff Group, supporting people living with a disability to find and engage in employment. He is a passionate advocate for people living with a disability, gender equality and First Nations people. When he’s not at work, you’ll find Hayden either training for Strongman or Martial Arts or enjoying time with his wonder wife, Caroline.

Want to contact the Sonder Youth Board?
Send us a message below.

Featured

Awards

2024 NSW Youth Work Awards, Outstanding Youth Participation, WINNER
2024 NSW Youth Work Awards, NSW Emerging Youth Worker of the Year: Takesa Frank, WINNER