The NSW government and the Police Citizens Youth Club (PCYC) are investing $15.6 million to deliver life-changing opportunities for young people living in regional and remote NSW. They say this funding commitment will provide young people experiencing the pressures of societal challenges and disadvantage access to PCYC’s youth programs.
PCYC currently delivers different programs into 22 locations including Walgett, Kempsey, Bourke, Broken Hill, Moree and Lismore, based on community need, BOSCAR data, local police information, and experience from PCYC’s Youth Programs team.
Over the four-year partnership, PCYC NSW will deliver 278 life-changing programs across regional NSW. The Minns government is contributing $10 million to the partnership, while PCYC will co-contribute $5.66 million.
Real and lasting change
Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism, Yasmin Catley said, ‘Regional youth crime is something we are determined to tackle head-on and we’re in it for the long haul which is why we’re giving communities the tools they need to make real and lasting change.
‘PCYCs provide positive spaces where police and young people can build trust and respect, adding to the tireless work our officers already do to keep communities safe. These are the kinds of relationships that can change a young person’s future.
‘I want to thank every police officer for their ongoing work with young people. No one understands better than our police how challenging this job can be. Their commitment makes our communities safer every single day.’
Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty said, ‘This multi-year funding commitment will be a game changer for young people across regional NSW.
‘This exciting partnership means we aren’t just investing in a single program in a single town, we are delivering benefits right across the state to support the health and wellbeing of our young people.
‘The NSW government is giving the PCYC a solid foundation to work form in planning programs that will run across multiple years with momentum and make a real difference in young people’s lives,’ she said.
‘By facilitating pathways to education, training, and employment through the PCYC’s programs we are helping to break cycles of disadvantage and contributing to safer, more cohesive communities.’
Increasing challenges
PCYC NSW CEO, Ben Hobby said, ‘We know young people across NSW face increasing social challenges relating to educational disengagement, unemployment, community connection and poor mental health. These issues are often, interconnected and can, in some cases, contribute to anti-social behaviour.
‘These challenges are particularly acute in regional and remote NSW where data shows youth unemployment remains significantly above the national average and school attendance, and retention rates continue to decline for young people experiencing vulnerability or at-risk situations.
‘Increasing access to PCYC Youth Programs in regional NSW is an essential frontline resource for early intervention that fosters positive relationships with police, strengthens skills and creates pathways to employment for the rising generation.
‘Without targeted support, many young people risk falling into cycles of disadvantage, causing long-term social and economic consequences to the individual and their broader community. PCYC is uniquely positioned to break this cycle by cultivating capability, advancing agency and ultimately revitalising regions through youth empowerment.’
PCYC Lismore
Lismore MP Janelle Saffin says she is pleased to announce that PCYC Lismore is one of 22 Police Citizens Youth Clubs statewide which will benefit from the new $15.6-million partnership.
‘As a longtime supporter of our PCYC here in Lismore I’ve seen firsthand the life-changing benefits of the team’s programs for young people,’ she said.
‘These youth programs have a proven track record of success and this multi-year funding commitment, including a $10-million State Government contribution, will provide more certainty for this trusted youth charity, established in 1937.
‘I advocated for Lismore to be included in this partnership as there was a strong case for it based on community need, BOSCAR data, local police information and PCYC Lismore’s effective engagement with youth over many years,’ said Ms Saffin.
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