BILLY DOWER YOUTH CENTRE YOUNG MEN REACH AWARDS FINALS

Award winners will be announced on 24 November during presentations at the Hyatt Regency in Perth.

The program, which originally started in 2000 and was inspired by the success of the Young Women’s Program, provides weekly activities and life skills development for young men aged 14 to 17 years old.

Mayor Paddi Creevey said the program was an educative and recreational forum in which marginalised young people could participate in activities and workshops that promoted teamwork, strengthened their self esteem and improved their communications skills.

“Giving them the opportunity to take on new interests and hobbies, such as paintball, fishing, archery or boxing, and attending grooming and ‘Consequence of Crime Awareness’ workshops is helping these young men take responsibility for their own behaviour,” Mayor Creevey said.

“All of the activities are structured to promote positive conduct and in turn help young people realise the consequences of their actions on other individuals and the wider community, as well as create more self awareness around the effects of alcohol and drug use.”

The fourth term of the program started in October attracting 17 young men with scheduled activities, including a life-sized game of table soccer, rock climbing, archery, boxing, paintball, RSPCA visit, fishing under the Old Mandurah Traffic Bridge.  The young men will also take on a real physical challenge on the commando course at the Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre.

Funded by the Attorney-General’s Office out of the ‘Proceeds of Crime Funding’, the Young Men’s Program is a joint effort between the City of Mandurah, Peel Mental Health, Street Net Youth Outreach Services, Mission Australia, Youth Pathways and Peel Youth Program. 

The program runs on Wednesday evenings and anyone interested should contact the Billy Dower Youth Centre on 9550 3670 for more information.

RELEASE ENDS

10 November 2008