Logan’s Youth off the Streets program which helps young First Nations, Pasifika and African youth return to their communities after jail time will benefit from almost $300,000 in government funding.
The group also helps young people re-engage with education.
Its tailored and evidence-based interventions will be geared to help youth under the boundaries of the grants.
Youth Justice Minister Leanne Linard announced 12 similar grants at the group’s Woodridge headquarters on Friday.
Youth Off The Streets’ T-REK program will support young people leaving youth detention centres to return to community through custody transition planning.
The program will also work with a number of high schools in Logan to support young people who have been suspended or disengaged from education.
Key to this support is the delivery of community and cultural engagement by First Nations Elders, cultural leaders and local community members.
“This grant funding will allow us to deliver our T-REK program, which stands for Together – Respected, Engaged, Kinnected, over four days a week from our site right here in Logan,” Youth Off The Streets acting director of youth support services Michelle Ackerman said.
“We will be able to support young people from many cultural backgrounds, who are leaving detention and returning to Logan, with the support they need to re-engage in education and develop age-appropriate living skills.
“T-REK will also support young people who are suspended or disengaged from school and who are at risk of engaging in anti-social behaviour, building an early intervention pathway to support young people to achieve their goals.”
Ms Linard said local communities were often first to see when young people disconnected from family, stopped attending school or showed anti-social behaviour.
Treasurer and Woodridge MP Cameron Dick said Youth Off the Streets would reconnect reconnect young and vulnerable people “with our wonderful community”.
“These young people are part of our community, they are sons, daughters, friends, brothers and sisters,” Mr Dick said.
“They have experienced a hard time and they need help getting back into education, or securing a job.
“Central to this program are support services for First Nations, Pasifika and African communities.”
