By ANEEKA SIMONIS
PAKENHAM youth programs will receive $140,000 to address the needs of at-risk youth as well as boost education and employment skills.
Minister for Youth Affairs Ryan Smith met with Cardinia Shire councillors and Member for Gembrook Brad Battin at My Place Youth Facility in Pakenham on Tuesday 7 October to announce the investment which hopes to improve the lives of young people aged 12 to 24 who are no longer at school.
Council team leader for Youth Services Emma Firth said the funding would help sponsor a much-needed program for older, disengaged adolescents.
“We identified a real gap in support for 17-24 year olds.
The Building Social and Community Connectedness program will help people who may be new to the area or living in transitional housing develop positive peer connections and avoid drugs/alcohol,” she said.
A further five programs that received funding support will also help young people develop technical skills such as carpentry, horticultural and mechanics for the workforce as well as build on leadership skills and confidence.
“It’s always difficult to get a job when you’re out of school. We always want to help young people build extra skills,” Mr Smith said.
The local youth support investment forms part of the State’s Government’s $12 million Engage program.
“More than 100 Victorian organisations are assisting young people to make the most of volunteering and mentoring opportunities, enabling them to develop wide-ranging skills for education, training and employment,” Mr Smith said.
He said he hoped the funding would “give young people more opportunities to follow their dreams and achieve their best.”
