Tara Murray
A Sunshine-based program aimed at reducing offending behaviour and recidivism will continue for at least another 12 months.
The Youth Umbrella Project, which is run by Youth Junction, seeks to connect with young people between the ages of 12 and 25 to reduce crime-related risk factors and increase engagement with school, training or employment and connection to community.
As reported by Star Weekly, Youth Junction feared the program would end on June 30 when funding ran out.
But the state government recently announced it would contribute $400,000 to the project as part of the youth crime prevention grants fund to ensure its future.,
Youth Junction chief executive Jo Malcolm-Black said the organisation was delighted the program would continue.
To be in involved in the program, a young person must be residing in Brimbank and currently be involved in the justice system.
“After four years we know we have been able to provide successful support to approximately 250 young people who were at risk, and help them work on protective factors, and reducing risk,” she said.
“We are grateful that the success of a community based initiative has been acknowledged, and can be continued in Brimbank.”
Ms Malcolm-Black said young people had really struggled in the last 18 months and it was important for them to have people walk alongside them as they make choices,
Details: info@youthjunctioninc.net.au or 9091 8200.
