A $2 million injection into a Sunshine Coast youth centre will see its facilities upgraded and help deliver enhanced intervention programs for at-risk youth.
This investment will support the outstanding work PCYC Sunshine Coast does across the region and state, helping young people maximise their potential and at the same time supporting community safety.
It comes as part of the state budget funding $50 million roll-out to support the construction of new PCYC facilities and significant upgrades to existing centres.
Supporting more than 100,000 members each year, PCYC Queensland works closely with young people whose personal circumstances often leave them at risk, disadvantaged or disengaged.
PCYC Sunshine Coast’s OIC Sgt Mick Hughes said the organisation looked forward to the opportunity to increase valuable programs to young people in the local communities.
“PCYC Sunshine coast is in need of major upgrades and over the coming months we will be working to establish design development and project parameters.
“This funding will be a huge support to us carrying out much needed upgrades and redevelopment works to PCYC Sunshine coast including the introduction and improvement of a dedicated youth space, allowing for increased Drop In and After Dark Programs,” he said.
“We look forward to providing the opportunity for increased program delivery through these upgrades as well as great safe spaces for the young people of the Nambour community to take part in sport and recreation activities, gain mentoring and access referral services.”
He thanked PCYC’s partner QPS and the state government for the ongoing support provided through this “great and exciting” commitment.
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Member for Nicklin, Rob Skelton said he was delighted to deliver these important upgrades for the community.
“Our local PCYC Sunshine Coast has been in need of a facelift for some time, with the derelict squash courts out the back requiring a complete teardown, so I’m really looking forward to seeing our community using the new facilities once completed,” he said.
Part of the investment is aimed at delivering programs that have been proven to work in helping at-risk young people turn away from involvement in the criminal justice system.
The government is further providing $6 million in funding to PCYC Queensland which will help support a ‘back to basics’ initiative to deliver programs like after dark basketball and boxing in areas of high need.
PCYC Queensland delivers hundreds of intervention, prevention and diversion programs and activities across Queensland aimed at keeping young people engaged and on the right track.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said PCYC Queensland has been helping young people for three quarters of a century.
“They can get in early and help young people at risk of offending stay on the right track before they get involved in crime,” she said.
“PCYC has an incredible legacy of supporting local communities.”
For more information about PCYC Queensland, head here.
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