Despite the abundance of information and opportunities available to youth today, young people have “never had it so tough”, according to Beenleigh PCYC police sergeant Bob Caunt.
“There’s other challenges they face, whether it’s their background or the pressures of social media,” he said.
“They’ve never had it so easy, but they’ve never had it so tough.”
Mr Caunt has worked as a police officer for more than three decades.
The past eight years he has served as a PCYC officer, working to create a “safe space” for young people to gain confidence, re-engage with society, and achieve success.
“It’s about breaking down barriers,” Mr Caunt said.
“Once you have a relationship with the youth and you’re able to connect socially, the whole process becomes easier.
“It’s a safe space and they know the door is always open, so whatever challenges or issues they’ve got, come and see us.”
Thousands of local youths have walked through the doors of the Beenleigh PCYC, whether it’s to play sport, chat with a youth worker, or learn to drive.
“We’ve got around 35 volunteers who assist kids with learning to drive, and around 58 youth on the books currently learning to drive,” Mr Caunt said.
He said the PCYC helped provide employment pathways for young people, as well as access to Centrelink payments and homelessness assistance.
But unless they can get to their job, Mr Caunt said, it’s not much help.
“I’ve got a young guy who’s starting on the Get Set for Work program next week – he’s not employed at the moment and has left school, so he’s an ideal candidate to go onto the program,” Mr Caunt said.
“And with that, we’re able to get him onto Braking the Cycle, so while he’s here he’s able to get his 100 hours up and get his Ps.
“So then when he gets started in the workplace, he can actually get there.”
Mr Caunt said youth often engaged with more than one PCYC service at once.
“I’ve been a police officer for 30-plus years, overseas in the UK and the last eight years in the PCYC, and the state-wide model with the PCYC is absolutely phenomenal,” he said.
“It’s pretty mind-blowing when I compare it to other jurisdictions I’ve policed in… and it’s probably the most worthwhile job I’ve worked in.
“You’ve got a kid who’s struggling a bit, and after you’ve put them through these programs, and they take the time to come back a few years later and tell you how things have panned out for them – that they have a job and they’re starting a family – that’s a fantastic thing.”
