Anglicare getting Aboriginal youth back on track

Aboriginal youth are getting back on track in the New South Wales town of Wagga Wagga with help from Anglicare’s highly successful Youth at Risk program.

Anglicare’s community services manager, Kristy Daley, said the program’s success lay in developing life goals for the at-risk youth.

“It’s about helping young people build resilience, cultural identity and self-worth,” Ms Daley said.

Since 2010, the program has an 86 per cent success rate with only 40 out of 296 clients reported as re-offending.

“When K* was first referred to Youth at Risk he was offending on a regular basis, was disengaged from school and at risk of dropping out. He was living in a small house with approximately six family members and had been in foster care for a number of years,” Kristy said.

“With the help of Youth at Risk, K’s offending behaviour ceased and he re-engaged in school. He graduated Year 12 completing a traineeship in a Sport and Recreation program. He moved into independent housing and was successful in getting his provisional driving licence.”

“A few months after finishing school, K gained a full time job which he still has today.  K’s confidence has grown dramatically. He speaks confidently in front of people, is more outgoing and is proud of who he is.”

Each young person is mentored and different organisations work in conjunction to assist in their progress. Each youth is integrated into community activities such as sport and recreation. This reduces social isolation, promotes independence and helps them make positive choices about their future.

Youth at Risk includes an eight week workshop program which trains youth in areas as diverse as healthy living, resume writing, interview preparation and anger management. Skills are also developed in budgeting and finances, team building, employment options and general life.

The project also raises awareness and understanding in Wagga Wagga of the complexities within the Indigenous community.

With ongoing Australian Government funding, Anglicare will continue to provide this valuable service to the Indigenous youth of Wagga Wagga.

* Name removed for reasons of privacy.