- Published:
- Sunday 9 February 2020
The Andrews Labor Government is empowering more young people in Victoria by providing them with intensive support, engagement in education and training and greater pathways to employment.
Minister for Youth Affairs Jenny Mikakos today visited the South Sudanese Community Association to see how they’re delivering their program as part of the $4 million Empower Youth Program.
The association is supporting South Sudanese young people by connecting them with a community mentor and youth worker to improve access to local initiatives such as education, employment, sport and art.
The organisation is one of eight to support more young people in areas with high levels of socio-economic disadvantage and crime.
This is the first funding by the Victorian Government in seven years specifically aimed at funding youth workers.
These organisations have already employed 15 youth workers to support up to 400 young people in their communities every year to develop and deliver individual plans that focus on the key elements of community participation: health and wellbeing, education and training, and employment pathways.
Communities in Greater Geelong, Ballarat, Hume, Brimbank, Wyndham, Frankston, Latrobe, Whittlesea, Dandenong and Casey will benefit from the program over the next three years.
Other recipients include:
- Youth Support and Advocacy Service, with an emphasis on supporting those new and emerging communities in Dandenong and Casey, including Pasifika youths
- Centacare Ballarat, which will partner with Headspace in Ballarat to improve the health and wellbeing of young people by offering intensive and coordinated health services and the development of career pathways
- Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency Co-Operative Ltd, which will provide support for Aboriginal young people to engage with school, family and community, as well as access leadership opportunities.
The Government is helping young people have their say and participate in decision-making as part of its Youth Policy: Building Stronger Youth Engagement in Victoria.
For more information go to www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au
Quotes attributable to Minister for Youth Affairs Jenny Mikakos
“We’re employing youth workers to help support young people in low socioeconomic areas engage in positive activities that will see them become more productive members of their communities.”
“The Empower Youth program will provide tailored support for vulnerable young Victorians to give them the support they need to reach their full potential.”