From Brewarrina to Waterloo, young people at risk of entering the justice system will be given stronger support through locally led initiatives designed to help tackle youth crime and enhance community safety.
More than 25 local projects across NSW will share in almost $5 million through the Minns Labor Government’s Community Safety Investment Fund – backing innovative and potentially scalable local initiatives that prevent or respond to youth offending.
Among the successful projects are two mentoring programs for young people – the Deadly Youth Mentoring Program established by South Cares and Winmarra Emerging Leaders Program in Brewarrina.
Both programs have links to the South Sydney Rabbitohs but are taking unique approaches to the challenges facing their communities in inner Sydney and western NSW by identifying local mentors and supporting positive pathways away from involvement with the youth justice system.
Other funded programs across regional and metropolitan communities will support initiatives including night-time safe spaces and employment pathways.
The grants are part of more than $124 million committed to reduce youth crime and divert young people from the justice system.
The Community Safety Investment Fund provides grants totalling up to $5 million over two years to deliver locally focused, community led solutions that prevent or respond to youth offending, strengthen families and improve community safety.
Across NSW, recipients of grants up to $300,000 for larger initiatives, that will be delivered over two years, include:
- $298,864 to the Coomaditchie United Aboriginal Corporation for the Ghadu Resilience Program in Wollongong
- $300,000 to Dhulawang Aboriginal Corporation for the Dhulawang Youth Program: Night Hub in Kempsey
- $242,460 to Boys-To-The-Bush for the Boys to the Bush (BttB) Strong and Connected Regional Youth Program in Albury
- $297,306 to the Carries Place Domestic Violence and Homelessness Services for the Youth Wellbeing and Support Program in Maitland.
Recipients of grants up to $40,000 for one-off initiatives include:
- $39,000 to the Spiritual Water Ways Indigenous Corporation for Circle Connections – Strong Spirit, Strong Mind, Strong Body in Newcastle
- $40,000 to the Returning Indigenous Corporation for the Doobai Bush Food Youth Program in Nambucca Heads
- $40,000 to the Blacktown Regional Economic & Employment Development (Breed) Taskforce for Change Creators – Pathways to Self-Employment and Enterprise in Community
- $40,000 to the Ngarra Aboriginal Corporation for Walking Strong – Youth Voices Podcasting Hub in Raymond Terrace
The grants build on a range of preventative measures introduced by the Government over the past three years to address youth crime across NSW.
Full details of the grants are available on the Youth Justice NSW website.
Minister for Youth Justice, Jihad Dib said:
“The Community Safety Investment Fund grants are another important way the NSW Government is supporting young people and their families, while strengthening community safety across NSW.
“When young people are given the right support early, it can change their path, and that’s exactly what these local organisations are working to do. We’re helping both young people and their families re-engage with education, training or employment through programs which are locally designed and delivered.
“Long-term, we want to see fewer young people interacting with the criminal justice system as we work to protect community safety by delivering consequences as well as opportunities for young people to change course.”
Attorney-General and Member for Maroubra, Michael Daley said:
“Although youth crime rates are falling we know that regional communities are experiencing higher rates of youth crime than those in the city. These grants are about backing local solutions that make a real difference on the ground.
“The people on the ground know what works, and these grants give them the support to get on with the job – keeping young people engaged and our community safe.
“This is a practical investment in prevention, supporting local programs that steer young people in the right direction before they end up in the justice system.”
Director at South Cares and Winmarra, andRabbitohs CEO, Blake Solly said:
“This funding recognises something we know to be true – while the challenges facing young people in metropolitan and regional communities can look different, they are equally serious and require targeted, community-led responses.
“Souths Cares and the Winmarra Foundation are proud to support communities in different parts of the state, and this funding will help us continue that work.
We’re incredibly grateful to the NSW Government for backing community-led initiatives that create real impact. This investment will help ensure more young people can access the support they need to thrive.”
