newy.com.au – Young people in Newcastle at risk of entering the justice system will receive extra support through a NSW Government funding program aimed at reducing youth offending and improving community safety.
More than 25 projects across NSW will share almost $5 million from the Minns Labor Government’s Community Safety Investment Fund, which supports locally designed, community-led responses to youth crime.
In Newcastle, funding has been awarded to Circle Connections – Strong Spirit, Strong Mind, Strong Body, a program facilitated by Spiritual Water Ways Indigenous Corporation. The initiative will support young people involved with the Frank Baxter Youth Justice Centre and the Ted Noffs Foundation Youth Rehab program.
Other projects funded across regional and metropolitan NSW include night-time safe spaces, mentoring programs and employment pathways. The grants form part of more than $124 million committed by the Government to youth crime and diversion programs designed to keep young people out of the justice system.
The Community Safety Investment Fund provides grants totalling up to $5 million over two years for programs that prevent or respond to youth offending, strengthen families and improve community safety. The Government says it has introduced a range of preventative measures over the past three years to address youth crime across NSW.
Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp said the funding would help local organisations work directly with young people before they became further involved with the justice system.
“This funding is about backing our community to lead the solutions. These grants give local organisations the support to get on with the job – keeping young people engaged and our community safe.
“Organisations like Spiritual Water Ways make a real difference to the lives of at-risk young people.”
“This is a practical investment in prevention, supporting local programs that steer young people in the right direction before they end up in the justice system.”
Minister for Youth Justice Jihad Dib said the grants were intended to help young people and their families while also strengthening safety in communities across NSW.
“The Community Safety Investment Fund grants are another important way the NSW Government is supporting young people and their families, while strengthening community safety across NSW.
“When young people are given the right support early, it can change their path, and that’s exactly what these local organisations are working to do. We’re helping both young people and their families to re-engage with education, training or employment through programs which are locally designed and delivered.
“Long-term, we want to see fewer young people interacting with the criminal justice system as we work to protect community safety by delivering consequences as well as opportunities for young people to change course.”
Full details of the grants are available on the Youth Justice NSW website.
