14-year-old Bella crowned Community Citizen of the Year

14-year-old Bella has been a long-term, regular participant of the safeSISTAS program at Geraldton PCYC and now volunteers at the Centre in her free time as a way of giving back to her community.

SafeSISTAS exists so that girls can come together to have fun, make friends, and create relationships with female role models in the community. safeSISTAS in Geraldton is supported by the Commonwealth Government, through the Safer Communities funding program (Rounds 3 and 5).

Throughout the safeSISTAS program, Bella has also volunteered her time to assist other charities in her community including the Geraldton Dog Rescue and Salvation Army.

To minimise barriers to learning PCYC provided Bella with a school uniform, stationery, and transport to help her re-engage at school. Bella now regularly attends school and is also looking for her first casual job.

Bella was in disbelief when she was announced as the Citizen of the Year in the Under 25 Category at the 2022 Community Citizens of the Year Award Ceremony and was thrilled to share the achievement with her family, friends and staff from PCYC.

PCYC’s purpose is to empower children and young people to reach their potential and the journey Bella has been on with PCYC is a great example of how we achieve just that.