Reach's 1000 Faces Camp.

In August, Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Project staff member Amy De Paola had the unique opportunity to attend the Reach 1000 Faces camp, a transformative three-day experience designed to inspire and challenge both young people and adults. Organised by Reach, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering young Australians, the camp pairs young people from diverse backgrounds with adults from various professional sectors, creating an environment where growth, resilience, and self-discovery take center stage.

Reflecting on her time at the camp, Amy expressed her admiration for Reach's youth-led approach, noting the impact of seeing young facilitators in action. "Witnessing these passionate, committed young individuals lead with such courage was an absolute privilege," she shared. "The camp pushed everyone—myself included—to confront our own barriers and see new possibilities."

The Reach 1000 Faces camp stands out for its approach to mentorship. Unlike traditional settings, young facilitators take charge, guiding both their peers and adults through activities that dig deep into personal growth and emotional resilience. Through tough, open conversations, participants are encouraged to face uncomfortable truths and to find their inner strength to move forward.

Founded by Jim Stynes and Paul Currie in 1994, Reach now impacts over 40,000 young Australians each year, offering a range of programs that promote confidence, self-awareness, and leadership.

For Amy, this experience underscored the importance of youth empowerment. "Reach's commitment to meeting young people where they are, with a blend of humor, creativity, and unwavering dedication, truly makes a difference," she said. "I feel extremely privileged to attend this amazing camp and to see first hand the transformative power of this organisation."

In addition to the 1000 Faces Camp Reach offers a range of programs and for the past 2 years the Reach Crew have been travelling to Shepparton to deliver their workshops at Greater Shepparton Secondary College. These workshop have been well received by both students and staff. Lighthouse see the value in more young people in our region having the opportunity to engage in the Reach workshops and we welcome local businesses interested in partnering with Lighthouse with Amy via adepaola@gslp.com.au discuss this opportunity