At-risk teens in the region will have more opportunities to take control of their future, thanks to a $1.48 million boost.
The funding, announced by Federal Member for Fairfax, Ted O’Brien, will enable local charity Teens Take Control to launch a comprehensive youth development program designed to provide alternative pathways.
Teens Take Control President Brenden Wilkins understands the challenges of adolescence and the power of second chances, after turning his life around.
Brenden left behind a life of crime in Sydney to turn over a new leaf on the Sunshine Coast.
The change, inspired by his young daughters, was the impetus for launching the Teens Take Control organisation.
After more than 10 years of investing his money, time and resources into the project, he was thrilled to receive the funding boost.
“I have no words that can explain how amazing this is for our organisation,” Brenden said.
“Our team has achieved so much with so little for the past 10 years. This is a game changer.
“With little resources we’ve helped countless kids stay in school, stay out of youth justice, learn skills and find careers.
“We get visits and messages from past students all the time thanking us and telling us how well they are now doing, and this is what keeps us going.
“From the streets and the courtroom to a career and successful life is our goal, and with this funding we can deliver everything we’ve dreamed about to help our young people break the cycle.”
Meanwhile, Mr O’Brien said the funding should make “an enormous impact on the lives of local youth”.
“Due to a range of varied and challenging circumstances, often due to no fault of their own, it’s no secret that some young members of our community will inevitably fall through the cracks.
“This program will identify at-risk youth, provide layers of education, mentoring and support before nurturing them into the workforce, over a 28-month period.”
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The program will also play a key role locally in combating growing concerns around youth crime, which accounts for 34 per cent of crime on the Sunshine Coast.
The project will be based in Maroochydore, Birtinya and Alexandra Headland, and will target up to 90 youth aged 12 to 25 during a three-year period.
Participants will develop crucial life, educational, and workplace skills to re-engage in the community and with education services, in an attempt to prevent them from becoming entrenched in the criminal justice system.
They will be provided with the education and resources to reshape their future and exit the program with the skills and qualifications required to enter the workforce with a particular focus on trade skills.
This funding has been delivered as part of the of the Safer Communities Fund, which has supported local communities to deliver grass roots crime prevention initiatives since 2016.
