Kiama Council's Youth Services Team (SENTRAL) has been recognised with a We Do Magic Community Service Award.
Mayor Mark Honey said the Award was well-deserved given the work done by the SENTRAL team supporting local young people over the last year.
"We have been challenged as never before over the last year and more due to COVID, especially by the impact it has had on the mental health of younger members of our community," Clr Honey said.
"The way SENTRAL Youth Services has responded to this crisis is something not just Council, but our entire community can be proud of."
SENTRAL was awarded in the category of 'A Brilliant Idea' by a Small Team, for providing an innovative solution to meet an unusual situation.
Community Services Manager Nick Guggisberg said his team was thrilled to receive recognition from their peers in the industry.
"Our extended team really has worked extremely hard over the last 12 months through all of the wildness that was 2020, including suicide and grief support," Mr Guggisberg said.
"It is important to thank our network of community partners who support our initiatives, and most importantly the young people who make it a joy and privilege to do what we do."
Mayor Mark Honey has also congratulated Community Development Officer Louise Croker and her colleagues from Shellharbour City Council on the Illawarra Interagency team for their We Do Magic Award.
The Illawarra Interagency team was recognised with a Transformation and Reinvention Award for their success maintaining the agency meetings and other activities during the COVID-19 lockdown.
The We Do Magic Awards are presented by the Community Industry Group, the peak body working for community services and organisations in south-east NSW.
A full awards list is available from the Community Industry Group website:
https://communityindustrygroup.org.au/we-do-magic/
Photo: SENTRAL Coordinator Melissa Andrews with Mayor Mark Honey and the We Do Magic Award
