To Jo Read

My name is Joseph Zizys and I am writing to apply for the position of L2P Project Officer at Good
Sheperd Young Peoples Services.
For the past 18 months I have been working as a Community Mental Health Practitioner at the
Frankston Youth Prevention and Recovery Centre, a short term, ten bed residential facility for
young people aged 16 - 25 experiencing mental ill-health. In that role I have led groups in
mindfulness meditation, facilitated communal meal programs and been deeply involved in working
with young people in group situations to facilitate positive outcomes and achieve goals. My role at
YPARC also involves one on one work based around firstly the recovery model and secondarily
DBT based strategies. One on one work is strength and recovery based, encompassing
counselling, collaboration and facilitation of the young persons own priorities and plans.
I have a good understanding of the requirements involved in working with young people. I would
bring my experience in working with young people to bear in sourcing and mentoring volunteers for
the program.
I also have experience in administration, having worked for the Centre for Multicultural Youth as the
Administration Officer. I worked with a diverse range of youth workers, trainers, young people from
culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and pattern organisations in the sector and in
government.
I have also been a volunteer myself. I spent two years volunteering for the Lifeline telephone
service, and was exposed to their fantastic and professional training, mentoring, and management.
I learned an enormous amount from my time there.
Finally I have experience managing people. In my previous career as an I.T developer I worked as
a programming team leader at CBD Online managing a staff of around half a dozen full time
programmers to deliver web interfaces for building automation systems. I am a calm,
communicative people manager who believes in continual feedback, active listening and modelling
best practice in my own professional behaviour.
I am also an excellent driver btw!
I would love the opportunity to interview for this position.
My team leader Bill Buckley, Frankston YPARC, Mind Australia can be contacted on 92388600 to
provide a reference.
Kate OSullivan, Settlement Team Leader at Whittlesea Community Connections (currently on
maternity leave), who I worked with at the Centre for Multicultural Youth would be happy to provide
a reference also and can be contacted on 0434 819 350
Melinda Wagner, SHASP Coordinator at HomeGround Services should also be able to provide a
reference and is contactable at melindaw@homeground.org.au or on 9288 9600

If you have any difficulties making contact with my referees, please dont hesitate to contact me
and I will chase them up for you!

Yours sincerely,
Joseph Zizys
joseph.zizys@gmail.com
0403424484