From left: Warburton Bendigo Bank secretary Geoff Vickers, Woori Yallock Bendigo Bank manager Rick Tolsher, Gembrook MP Tammy Lobato, Youth Affairs Minister James By Melissa Donchi
UPPER Yarra youth will be handed the keys to the coffers as part of a new State Government initiative that aims to help young people engage with their community. The Brumby Government’s new program, Youth Foundations Victoria (YFV) allows young people to identify the needs of their local community and then allocate funds to their chosen projects.
Minister for Youth Affairs James Merlino launched the program in Yarra Junction last week at the YMCA and said it would help youth develop important new skills.
“We are very excited to be launching this initiative here because there is such strong enthusiasm for this project among the community and our partners in the project,” Mr Merlino said.
“It gives genuine opportunities for young people to get involved in the life of their community while at the same time building their skills and networks.”
The program will be delivered in partnership with the Brumby Government, the community branches of Bendigo Bank in Yarra Junction and the local community.
Over the next three years, Youth Foundations will be established in 15 communities across Victoria, with the Brumby Government contributing $4.5 million through the Community Support Fund.
“In each location, a group of young people from different backgrounds will come together and first look at the needs of their community,” Mr Merlino said.
“Over time, with the support of a local partnership group, they can use the interest from this funding to make grants to other young people to run activities that benefit the whole community.”
