Life Skills

These programs help young people develop skills which will help them in adult life. This may include, healthy eating/cookery, personal hygiene, drug and alcohol misuse and social skills, applying for learner’s permits and driver training.

Albany PCYC Ice Breakers

Ice Breakers is a 12-week non-residential rehabilitation program, which focuses on education and cognitive behavioural therapy, by offering sessions and support to a range of individuals at different stages of addiction. The program also provides a support group for parents and families of individuals battling ice addiction.

The rehabilitation course runs over 12 weeks on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am-2.30pm, while the support group meets on the second and fourth Monday of every month at 7pm.

The program was developed by Margaret Gordon and her grandson Jamie Coyne, whose past experience with drug abuse helped develop a program that connects with recovering addicts.

“Ice Breakers helps people out of the battle trenches of addiction and we walk alongside them through their recovery, teaching them tools for change so that they themselves can break free from their own personal hell,” he said.

Albany PCYC – Keys 4 Life

The Keys for Life program engages young people to assist them in gaining their Learners Permit and also incorporates Defensive Driving Skills. On completion of the course participants are issued with a Keys for Life certificate stating they passed the theory test which they then take to the Department of Transport to be issued with their Learner’s Permit.

This program is aimed at Young Offenders over the age of 15 years and helps to create behavioural change, a reduction in traffic related offences and enable youth to make positive life changes.

Keys for Life is designed for young people aged 15 – 16 years (pre-drivers or novice drivers) entering the licensing system and is facilitated by a trained person.  The main aim of the program is to develop positive road user attitudes in young people.

One of the program incentives is that students can start the Learner’s Permit application process and redeem their Keys for Life certificate then attend the local Department of Transport office to obtain their Learner’s Permit. They achieve this by sitting the legitimate Learner’s Permit Theory Test at WA PCYC rather than at a licensing centre.

Carnarvon PCYC – Drop In Girls Space (DIGS)

The drop in and mentoring program is aimed at young girls considered highly at-risk, including those that are disengaged from school and/or known to local Police or Juvenile Justice Teams. The aim is to provide them with the opportunity to participate in structured activities to build self-confidence and life skills.

This program is collaboration between the PCYC, WAPol and PCYC Key Stakeholders in teaching protective behaviours such as cyber safety, protection against sexual abuse and domestic violence. It creates a safe place for young people to meet and the opportunity to try new activities opportunity for mentoring.

Participants receive information on further education options, the ability to participate in recreation activities like swimming and dance, workshops on health and hygiene, and mentoring from professional women in the community, to both engage and empower them.

Gosnells PCYC – Project Full Throttle

Project Full Throttle, engages 12-18 year old youth through the restoration of damaged, dumped and donated bikes.

Young people are taught about bike maintenance and repairs from long-time PCYC volunteer and Life Member Steve Chynoweth.  Once a bike is deemed roadworthy it is then donated to other charitable organisations, to be distributed to families in need.

The ethos behind this is to teach young people the value and importance of volunteering and giving back to the community.

The program engages young people, including at-risk and disadvantaged youth, whilst providing a safe and controlled environment to learn new skills. It aims to increase self-confidence and self-esteem along with other life skills such as budgeting, healthy eating, and social skills. It helps participants understand the consequences of actions and aids in helping them to make positive life choices.

Kensington PCYC – Drive to the Future

The Drive to the Future program gives Prolific and Priority Offenders (PPO’s) the opportunity to attain their motor vehicle licence. Partly funded by WAPol, the course is delivered by a Youth Crime Intervention Officer (YCIO) and targets Youth at Risk in the South East Metropolitan District.

Drive to the future aims to have a positive impact on the driving skills, attitudes and behaviours of youth and in turn helps to reduce and prevent criminal activity relating to motor vehicles and traffic offences. It also aims to reduce criminal anti-social behaviour, by enhancing employment or apprenticeship opportunities and by improving the psychological wellbeing of the participants.