Don’t cut kids

By Emma Sun
OPPOSITION spokeswoman for children and young adults Jenny Mikakos has attacked the government’s decision to cut funding for successful youth mentoring projects.
During her visit to the Shire of Yarra Ranges Youth Services Centre in Lilydale recently, Ms Mikakos labelled the move as a “short sighted decision” as the programs are beneficial in assisting at risk youths getting involved in the community.
“The program has linkages with youths at risk of dropping out of school and prevents them from getting into trouble,” she said.
The centre’s Jindi Woraback Youth Mentoring Program partners up youths between the ages of 12 and 25 with a mentor, who becomes their role model and a source of support.
Mentoring Project Officer Amanda Wiggs said although youths and mentors are matched for 18 months and have a minimum of an hours contact a week, they often form lifelong friendships.
“It’s not just the young people who benefit, it’s very rewarding for the mentors too and that in effect is rewarding for the community,” Ms Wiggs said.
“Even when they’re not under the program, they still keep in contact and it’s great for the youths to have that extra support from a trusting adult.”
The program currently has 22 youth/mentor partnerships and is in dire need of more male mentors to accommodate a growing waiting list.
Ms Mikakos said Evelyn MP Christine Fyffe needed to stand up to Premier Ted Baillieu and demand the project funding be extended.
“This program helps dozens of at risk young people every year, but Mr Baillieu couldn’t find room in this year’s budget for the $50,000 a year needed to keep the program running,” she said.
“This project works off a shoestring budget but has a high impact.”
Ms Fyffe said the government will still provide funding for youth service providers, local government and not-for-profit organisations who deliver a range of activities developing and supporting young people through the $12.3 million Engage! program. “Grants range from $30,000 to $50,000 in annual funding for three years to support the great work these organisation do in assisting young people and provide a pathway for them to make a difference in their community,” Ms Fyffe said.
“The Victorian Coalition Government is committed to helping young people participate in the community and encourage all community organisations with passion to help young people fulfil their potential to apply for Engage!”