New garden base grows hope for local teens

YOUTH project RiverTracks has formed a new partnership with Murwillumbah Community Garden to deliver its early intervention programs.

The organisation engages at-risk young people between 12 and 20 to help develop confidence, emotional stability, and prosocial behaviour.

Many of them are facing educational disengagement, marginalisation, domestic violence, and mental health challenges.

RiverTracks program manager Christopher Rowland said the garden served as a base for the work, but the real goal was psychosocial recovery.

“We work with young people to build their confidence and re-engage with school or community in a positive way,” he said.

“The gardening and construction tasks are just the vehicle – we meet them where they’re at and walk alongside them.

“Some of these kids haven’t been in a classroom for months – while they’re digging or building, it opens up space for honest conversations about what’s going on in their lives.”

An average day sees young people working in the garden, in senior residents’ yards, and soon on a Tweed Shire Council and Landcare initiative to restore sugar glider habitat.

“We start the day with an emotional check-in, so we all know where everyone’s at,” Rowland said.

“Then we’ll work on gardening, woodwork, building planter boxes or mowing and weeding.

“We break for lunch and then debrief at the end of the day, like go to the beach or fishing – something in nature to finish the day on a high note.”

Sixteen-year-old Mali said the program had helped to become a more decent and respectful person.

“It’s taught me how to communicate with people different to me,” Mali said.”I’ve also learned a lot of trade and life skills.”

RiverTracks is currently without a permanent base after losing its previous home beneath the local scout hall.

Plans are in place to increase activities to include cooking, tool training and indoor workshops when a new HQ is found.

“We’re looking for a space to rent – a hall, shed or house in the area,” Rowland said.

“We’re open to being creative or considering a shared-use situation.

“It’s important to have a space where they can feel like it’s theirs – for them to feel, ‘this is the one spot in the world that’s mine’.”

For information, visit rivertracks.org