To change the future, first you have to imagine it

Programs

Our Programs: Transforming Lives through Opportunity
Desire to Aspire (D2A) delivers highly specialised, culturally safe programs designed to guide at-risk Indigenous youth away from the justice system and directly into meaningful, long-term employment. As a unique, 100% Indigenous family-led Not For Profit organisation, our model focuses on understanding participants as individuals, offering flexible, wrap-around support to break cycles of systemic disadvantage.
We drive genuine, practical outcomes through our two flagship initiatives:
  • The Kwadget Koorl Program: A first-of-its-kind diversionary initiative operating out of our NIASA-accredited Native Spirit Nursery. It places youth directly into stable, full-time employment from day one while they earn a Certificate III in Horticulture or Conservation and Land Management.
  • The Driving Force Academy: A vital program that systematically removes the single biggest barrier to youth employment in Western Australia by helping candidates secure their legal driver’s licence.
To maximize our community impact, D2A operates in proud collaboration with key government and non-government organisations, including Corrective Services, Justice, Transport, Education, and local youth services. Alongside our workplace training, we utilize sports, music, and life-skills workshops as powerful tools to re-engage young people, build positive peer connections, and restore a deep sense of purpose. Throughout their journey, participants receive constant guidance and life-coaching from respected elders, coaches, and industry mentors—building the strong foundations they need to transition seamlessly into permanent industry careers.

Kwadjet Koorl Progam

The Kwadget Koorl Program: Cultivating Careers & Land Stewardship
The Kwadget Koorl program is our groundbreaking, first-of-its-kind diversionary initiative operating directly out of our NIASA-accredited Native Spirit Nursery in Wanneroo. Designed specifically to offer courts, youth services, and families a proven alternative to the justice system, this program replaces instability with immediate, full-time workforce participation. It is an unprecedented, closed-loop model where commercial plant procurement from our corporate and government partners directly funds and secures long-term employment for at-risk Indigenous youth.
Key Program Highlights:
  • Immediate Living Wage: Participants transition straight into stable, full-time, paid employment from day one.
  • Diversionary Justice Pathway: Provides a culturally safe, highly supportive routine that breaks cycles of reoffending.
  • Dual Qualification Streams: Candidates actively study for and achieve a Certificate III in Horticulture or a Certificate III in Conservation and Land Management.
  • Direct Industry Graduation: Large-scale infrastructure partners who procure our native plants act as the direct transition employers, graduating youth into permanent corporate roles after a structured two-year program.
  • Connecting to Country: Combines commercial nursery operations with cultural mentorship and environmental land stewardship, restoring a deep sense of identity, pride, and community leadership.
REGISTER YOUR INTEREST IN THE KWADGET KOORL PROGRAM

Drivers Licence Program

BEING LICENCED IS KEY TO PEOPLE’S FUTURE EMPLOYABILITY

The link between unemployment and no driver’s licence for young Indigenous people is very clear.

A first and critical assumption is our reliance on a family-led model for teaching people to drive. This may no longer be appropriate, given that gaining a driver’s licence has become more challenging; that not all families have the skills, guidance and resources required; and that being licenced is key to peoples’ future employability.

The issues that we have identified impact right across government – not only on transport and road safety, but also employment and skills, policing and corrections, income support, education, citizenship and social wellbeing. The wider impact and cost are borne by Australia as a whole.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE ACADEMY

CAN YOU COMPLETE ALL THE REQUIREMENTS TO GET YOUR DRIVER LICENCE?

Can you prove your identity?
Do you understand the road safety rules?
Do you have access to a legal car?
Do you have a fully licenced teacher and supervisor?
Can you afford to pay for the tests, and lessons if needed?
Can you read and speak English well?
Do you have confidence in ability to pass?
Can you get to a testing station?
Enrol in our driving licence program

Support Services

Crisis Support

Life-Skills Training

Talent Support

ID 4 Me

Apply for Services

Need Help?

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Crisis Support Services

Our Crisis Support program provides support to young people aged 12-24 who are living in WA and are experiencing financial stress.

Following an application and assessment process young people may have access to assistance with:

  • Food vouchers
  • Clothing
  • Bedding
  • School uniforms and books
  • Public transport passes
  • White goods

Life-Skills Training Workshops

D2A aims to keep youth engaged in learning by providing positive educational experiences and opportunities to grow life skills and access to positive role models. Workshop subject areas include:

  • Computer literacy
  • Basic cooking and cleaning
  • Hygiene
  • Life Admin
  • Literacy and numeracy
  • Parenting skills

Talent Support

Education, sports, music and the arts are important tools to re-engage young people, give them a sense of purpose, and help them to make new friends while receiving moral and personal support from respected adults such as coaches, teachers and mentors. In delivering our Talent Support services D2A is also working towards:
  • Building community leaders
  • Creating social connections
  • Promoting healthy lifestyles
  • Supporting volunteerism
  • Increasing health and wellbeing
  • Preserving cultural values
The Talent Support Program emphasises:
  • Strong relationships
  • Communication
  • Respect
  • Trust
This program provides funding of program fees and equipment for sports, the arts and education.

ID 4 Me

ID 4 ME is a springboard platform offering practical assistance for addressing personal governance issues including personal identity documents and a workable postal and email address leading to entry into the Learner’s Permit Workshop and The D2A Driver’s licence Program.

Not having ID can make it virtually impossible to escape homelessness, poverty and unemployment. It makes it much harder to get a job, find a place to live, open a bank account, get food vouchers and disability benefits — or in some instances, even stay at a homeless shelter.

In addition to their intended purpose, learner’s permit and driver’s licence cards are widely accepted as a form of identification and can be used to obtain passports, bank accounts, and Abstudy.

GET INVOLVED

Help us help our young people to become more employable!

LET ME HELP!