Recruiting victim participants: Australia
The PF Australia chapter in Queens land received an invitation to run the Sycamore Tree Project® two to three times a year at the Southern Queensland Correctional Centre. To make this happen, the ministry needs to build strong relationships with crime victims living in the community close to the correctional centre. Jason Wickes, the Sycamore Tree Project® for PF Australia’s Queensland chapter, provided an overview of the strategy he is testing.
The first step was to organise an information session in a nearby township. Meeting with the assistant mayor gained verbal support and the free use of the local hall for the information night. The sessions were then advertised in local newspapers. The ministry also gave interviews on both secular and Christian radio stations to raise the profile of the Sycamore Tree Project® in the community.
A second step consisted of attending a local gathering of pastors to talk about the programme. The idea was that the pastors might be able to refer people to the programme. The response was very positive. The ministry will continue to foster those relationships as they try to build more connections with the community and those harmed by crime.
