By Tate Papworth
Sunshine’s Youth Junction has been encouraging young community members to drop by its Sunshine centre and “hang out.”
The youth services organisation has been piloting an evening drop-in located at the Visy Cares Hub from 5-10pm.
Four sessions were held across late September and early October in an effort to tackle an increase in anti-social behaviour within the Sunshine CBD.
Youth Junction communications and marketing co-ordinator Kristine Bugeja said the “Hang out @ The Hub” sessions had been a success.
“The nightly sessions have encouraged young people aged between 12-25 years to engage in pro-social activities, including the use of video games on the big screen, music, food, beverages or chill out watching movies,” she said.
“The pilot program has been a huge success with commendations from Victoria Police who are partnering this initiative.
“The feedback from young people has been extremely positive with one young person saying it’s just good to have somewhere to hang out’.”
Ms Bugeja said each sessions had been attended by more than 20 young people.
She said a major positive had been the number of people who had since accessed services at the Visy Cares Hub.
