Harper Sercombe
Youth Projects is a Glenroy based not-for-profit that runs Youth Holistic Outreach Programs throughout Hume and Whittlesea.
Executive manager of community health Richie Goonan says a lot of their work focuses on the needs of the local area.
“It’s about addressing young people’s substance use, where they see it as being problematic, or it’s affecting their lives,” he said.
“Whether it be mental health, education, training, bonds at home, problems with their own kind of anxiety levels and depression.
“We also run some specialised programmes within Hume… that focus on linking young people back into education, training or employment, these programmes work across 12 to 25 year olds.”
On Monday Youth Projects asked the Hume council for $1.2 million over the next three years.
Mr Goonan said this funding would provide extra support for staffing in the Hume area.
“We currently have about two and a half staff within Hume, another staff member and Meri- Bek. But. Trying to keep up with demand and also trying to position ourselves so that we’re available to see people.” he said.
“We’d certainly be looking to expand our existing offer and deepen our impact within the municipality.”
Council said it will provide responses to all submissions, and the budget will be considered at its meeting on June 26.
To get in contact with Youth Projects is easy and accessible, Mr Goonan said.
“The first thing would be to give us a call. We don’t believe in having a lot of processes and barriers for young people to be able to access our services,” he said.
To find out more head to www.youthprojects.org.au/
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