As part of fostering independent living skills, Ladder participants have recently been learning to prepare meals while managing a budget. Ladder Development Coaches created a cooking challenge: pick and prepare a meal for no more than $10. Embracing this task, the young people worked together as a team to choose and cook their meal. This challenge enhanced their communication and financial skills as well as added valuable life skills to their toolkits.

Through teamwork and problem-solving, the young people successfully completed the challenge as they shopped, compared prices, selected ingredients and prepared a meal on a limited budget. The challenge resulted in a tasty fried rice dish that stayed within the budget.

Encouraged by their success, the $10 cooking challenge has now been implemented as a regular program activity. This time, they made tacos, once again keeping to budget. The Development Coaches praised their effort and talked about the benefits of healthy eating, emphasising that home-cooked meals can be more economical and nutritious than having fast food. 

One standout participant, who showed a natural talent for cooking, earned the nickname "Ladder chef." His enthusiasm and skill has inspired others in the program. 

Given the current financial pressures on families, these budget-friendly cooking skills are invaluable. The young people can take these lessons home, helping their families maximise on their budgets while preparing healthy meals. 

By teaching our young people essential life skills in a supportive environment, we are helping to pave the way for these individuals to lead independent, successful lives.