Booyah! Positive Programs For Youth

Project Booyah is an important early intervention program which began in the Redcliffe area in February 2016 and will be run again in 2017.

The initiative has been led by the Queensland Police Service and is strongly supported by the Police-Citizens Youth Welfare Association, as well as the state government. Recently, the government has announced they will contribute more than $7 million in funding for Project Booyah. This is a highly successful initiative which is creating sustainable positive changes for at-risk young people in our communities,� said Queensland's Police Commissioner Ian Stewart.

Aligned with evidence-based best practice, the program's aspiration is to holistically address a young person's disengagement from their family, community and education to ultimately reduce and prevent involvement in anti-social behaviour, substance misuse, self-harm and crime. This outcome is achieved through the incorporation of adventure based learning principles, social and skill development training, community interventions, mentoring, case management, education and vocational scholarships to support young people and their families.

Since its local inception, two Project Booyah programs have been run in the Redcliffe and Caboolture areas leading to the graduation of 18 participants,� explains Moreton District Officer Superintendent Michael Brady.

Broken into two terms of 10 weeks, participants commit to two days per week: one TAFE day where the young person completes a Certificate I in Hospitality and one Mentor day that involves a combination of social and skill development training, functional literacy and numeracy education and mentoring. Throughout the period, there is also a leadership day, adventure-based camp, Cultural Day, work readiness and a variety of motivational guest speakers. The program finishes with a graduation ceremony where participants receive a certificate for completing the Certificate I in Hospitality and also the Booyah program.

Constable Amy Gauci who coordinated the program at Redcliffe said she had seen many changes in participants.

As a mother of five children, I can see the value in the program. It is so these children can have a better future,� she said.

www.projectbooyah.com.au

By Lisa Adams