$234,851 grant supports safeSPACE at Midland PCYC

Midland PCYC was awarded a $234,815 grant by the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science, Safer Communities Fund to deliver the safeSPACE program for local youth until March 2020.

The Midland PCYC safeSPACE program will provide a safe space in Midland for youth and youth at risk to ‘Hang and Chill’ on Monday and Saturday afternoons and Thursday nights. As part of the program youth will engage in sporting activities such as indoor soccer, basketball and boxing, along with other activities such as arts and crafts, and community projects.

The Full Throttle bike rebuilding diversionary program will also be included in the sessions, where young people are taught about bike maintenance and repairs. Youth build / repair a pushbike to donate to someone in need. The ethos behind this program is to teach young people the value and importance of volunteering and giving back to the community.

The Midland PCYC safeSPACE program also has the ability to recognise youth who are disengaged from mainstream education, and the potential to refer these youth into other Midland PCYC programs such as Stepping Stones (basic numeracy and literacy program) and certified training courses such as Certificate I Leadership or Certificate I Automotive.

The program has been developed to help address a range of social issues in the area, such as burglary, aggravated robbery, assault, stealing, drug and alcohol abuse, anti-social, which stem from lack of youth engagement.

The Midland PCYC safeSPACE program is committed to increasing safety for young people, by providing youth with a safe space to hang out and participate in fun activities, as well as learning valuable life skills and also being provided with healthy food alternatives and in some cases transport to their home address.

“The funding allows us to provide young people with a place where they can hang out, they can feel safe, and be engaged in activities and programs, rather than engaging in anti-social behaviour within the community” said Jackie Abbott, Midland PCYC Centre Manager

Hon Ken Wyatt AM, MP, presents the cheque to Midland PCYC Centre Manager, Jackie Abbott.