Youth programs

Our key youth development programs continue to empower young people to make positive life choices, and provide purpose, focus, motivation, skills, and opportunity.

Programs such as Braking the Cycle, Emergency Services Cadets, Indigenous Programs, State Youth Leadership Program, Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, Deep Blue Line, Skilling Queenslanders for Work, and Safer Communities provide mentoring opportunities to change the stories of young Queenslanders.

Braking the Cycle

Our award-winning learner driver mentor program Braking the Cycle continues to go from strength to strength. The Motor Accident Insurance Commission (MAIC) committed to $15.96 million over the next five years to support more young people to obtain their driver’s licence. This year a pilot program also commenced in Napranum with support from Rio Tinto.

1,092,397

kilometres driven MAIC’s Insurance Commissioner Neil Singleton is proud of the partnership, saying Braking the Cycle provides life-changing benefits to Queenslanders, and he is proud of the number of graduates obtaining their licence and increasing their participation in employment and education activities.

“MAIC’s continued support will both consolidate and expand the program across the state, providing security to retain key staff and maintain a sufficient volunteer base for mentoring of participants.”

712

(2,749 since inception) licences

39,743

driving hours

2,527

(8,446 since inception) participants engaged

37

Road Safety Events

21%

Aboriginal, Torres Strait or Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander participants

19%

Culturally & Linguistically Diverse (CALD) participants

40%

participants who disclosed a disability

80%

graduates entered into further education or employment

23%

participants who disclosed being a victim of crime

Tyrone’s story

Introducing Tyrone in 2019, we are proud to share an update on his story.

Coming from a tough background, I grew up doing home schooling. I was told I was dyslexic at an early age and struggled with general numeracy and literacy.

I moved out of home in 2016 and was living independently aged 16, and the following year I was referred to my local PCYC’s Youth Support Service.

My goal was to finish high school and go to university. With the help of my youth support worker, I was supported to make plans so I could achieve my goals.

Four years later, through tutoring support and being involved in Braking the Cycle, I am proud to say I have successfully completed Year 12. I am currently attending university studying nursing, and I have also gained my driver’s licence. And now, I have landed my dream job at Apple!

I could not have completed Year 12 without the support and tutoring from the PCYC Queensland youth support workers.

I wouldn’t be able to drive or write properly. And they helped me to grow as an adult.

I owe a lot to PCYC. They have given me endless support and helped me to get to where I am today.

I recommend PCYC Queensland to any young person who is struggling or doesn’t have the support of their parents.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award

This year our Award Centres in the Gold Coast, Cairns, Ipswich and Bundaberg continued to support participants to better themselves and achieve their Award goals in an ever-changing and uncertain climate.

Two of our Emergency Services Cadets units also offered The Award with participation from 14 cadets. The annual Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award Ceremony at Brisbane City Hall saw 15 of our participants receive their certificates from the Honourable Paul de Jersey AC CVO, Governor of Queensland. Our PCYC Bundaberg Award Leader Trevor Standfast was among those who received the Duke of Edinburgh’s Distinguished Service Medal.

6

Award Centres

250

participants

Emily’s story

I joined the PCYC

Bundaberg Blazers (Youth Management Team) in 2017 and I was unbelievably shy! I went the first day as a trial and I was so scared. I cried telling my mother that I didn't want to go, but she convinced me to try something new and get outside my comfort zone. When I went my first day, I was scared and kept to myself. However, I still remember being in the first meeting that night and Award Leader Trevor Standfast getting me to stand up and say my name followed by everyone saying "Hiiii Emily.” Although it was scary, I stuck with it. The Blazers welcomed me with open arms, and I am forever grateful! From the second week I was already preparing for my Bridge Award Adventurous Journey and felt like I was part of the group! This led me to complete the Bridge, Bronze, Silver and Gold levels of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award.

By accomplishing the Award levels with my newfound family, I was able to gain so many new and unique skills which have helped me to reach outside my comfort zone and make me the person I am today. I have learnt to tie knots, orienteer, prepare for massive hikes, Chinese lion and dragon dance, volunteer, and most importantly, communicate! I will never be able to put into words my appreciation for everything PCYC Queensland and my Blazers family have done for me!

State Youth Leadership Program

PCYC Queensland’s flagship multi-stage State Youth Leadership Program (SYLP) continues to drive young people to flourish, with SYLP 1 and SYLP 2 events proceeding this year. Over 80 young people were referred from Youth Management Teams, Emergency Services Cadets units and The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award programs across the state, with an even balance of regional and urban participants.

Youth Management Teams

Fostering a sense of community and leadership for young people, Youth Management Teams in 14 clubs provide a space for creativity, where participants are tangibly able to address needs on a local level and assist with local events and clubbased activities.

The spirit of service coupled with the life skills and mentorship prepares young people to be active and positive members of their communities.

Skilling Queenslanders for Work

Through the delivery of Get Set for Work, Community Work Skills and Ready for Work programs across nine clubs, PCYC Queensland supports the government’s Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiatives, this year helping more than 140 people to gain employment, enrol in further study, or re-engage back in school after completing the program.

9

clubs

264

participants

54.5%

of participants have gained employment, enrolled in further study, or re-engaged back in school

11%

identified as having a disability

7.5%

identified as being Culturally & Linguistically Diverse (CALD)

28%

identified as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent

Emergency Services Cadets

Now offered at 22 locations across Queensland with support from Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, our Emergency Services Cadets (ESC) program motivates young people aged 12-17, under the leadership and guidance of volunteer adult leaders and mentoring emergency services personnel, to learn a range of emergency service skills and develop their leadership potential.

This year the program’s premier events including ESCape Week and the Cadet Games were both able to go ahead after being postponed in 2020.

22

units

5,842

volunteering hours

156

volunteer adult leaders

464

cadets

22

emergency services personnel

30

events

2021 Cadet Games

This year’s Cadet Games saw over 200 cadets from PCYC Queensland Emergency Services Cadets, Rural Fire Service, Royal Australian Navy Cadets, Australian Army Cadets, Royal Australian Air Force Cadets and Military Cadets compete in games that required skill, problem solving and teamwork, with judging by emergency services or defence personnel who volunteered their time on the day.

In Brisbane, 233 Squadron Australian Air Force Cadets took out the Ultimate Cadet Crew title, with ‘Spitfire’ taking out the Mixed Teams Challenge, and the Award of Excellence going to the Brisbane Region Rural Fire Cadets.

In Townsville, the PCYC Mackay Emergency Services Cadets took out the title of Ultimate Cadet Crew, ‘Thunder Dogs’ won the Mixed Teams Challenge, and the PCYC Torres Shire Emergency Services Cadets took out the Award of Excellence.

PCYC Queensland Emergency Services Cadets Program Manager Storm Richter is proud of all the cadets involved in this years’ events.

“The Cadet Games represent the ultimate gathering of cadets from all disciplines, many of whom travelled from all over Queensland, and we are thrilled that our first all-female team from Thursday Island took out the Award of Excellence!” said Mr Richter.

The first all-female team from PCYC Torres Shire Emergency Service Cadets: April Akiba, Shontay Kelly, Tamarina Tom, Udiwad Tapim, Kutuane Waia and Cheniel Bana.

Deep Blue Line

Our police mentoring program Deep Blue Line encourages small groups of males and females to improve life skills and enhance their positive sense of self.

PCYC Carindale, PCYC Redlands and PCYC Hills District brought 15 young boys together to experience working with the Redlands Water Police. They were given insight into the duties and responsibilities of the Water Police and at the same time experienced the joys of cruising the waterways of Moreton Bay. By the end of the session, the boys were confidently conversing with the police officers, and enjoyed the positive interaction.

Safer Communities Program

Directly targeting criminal and anti-social behaviours in young people, the Safer Communities program delivers bespoke crime prevention initiatives, based upon community needs in eight high priority areas.

This year more than 30,000 service contacts were delivered, with more than 6,300 program participations.

Improved collaboration with local networks and agencies has resulted in Community Based Crime Action Committees being established, increasing the number and targeted delivery of programs.

In each of the eight local Safer Communities sites, Safer Communities Coordinators have commenced enrolments of a new cohort of young people whose lives are on the cusp, into a structured 18-month intervention program called Leading the Way. Using trauma-informed principles this new initiative will focus on helping young people to make better choices.

Youth Support Services

Through the pandemic our team of Youth Support Workers have modified service delivery and group work to ensure case management and outreach support remains operational across 13 locations.

Learning support opportunities have also been established in partnership with local schools in Aurukun, Napranum, Mareeba and Mount Isa.

Youth Support Services deliver positive outcomes such as: ● Helping clients who struggle with literacy and numeracy skills ● Working with the Indigenous Driver's Licensing

Unit to get clients licensed ● Re-engaging clients in school, training and higher education ● Helping clients to gain access to housing and crisis accommodation ● Supporting clients to meet their Youth Justice or

Bail Conditions ● Teaching clients to cook and budget ● Helping socially isolated young parents get access to key supports ● Facilitating clients to access financial assistance ● Supporting victims of domestic and family violence to have their basic needs met

Latesha’s story

Latesha has been engaged with the program since April of 2020. Latesha finds music a way to release stress and something that she thoroughly enjoys. She often records her own “covers” and in sessions with me, will often play the music to a song she likes and sing along to it.

I can notice the change in her demeanour some days from when I pick her up for her appointment to when she leaves, after singing or playing her guitar during our sessions.

In fact, I don’t think I can recall one session where I have seen her at the club where she has not sung me a song or played me some music. It makes her happy and keeps her grounded and feeling positive.

– PCYC Youth Support Worker.

491

ATSI Clients

689

Young people supported

45 CALD Clients 360

3,431.97

hours of case management program delivery & coordination hours

1,315

program attendance

608

clients with improved ability to access appropriate services