Project gives young people a voice

A NEW initiative will give voice to young people across the region who are in most need of having it heard.

Meli (formed from the merger of BCYF and Bethany) launched The Reignite Geelong Youth Client Voice Project at their Geelong office last week.

Started by BCYF and carried on by Meli after the merger, the project is aimed at elevating the voices of young people involved in, or at risk of involvement in, the justice system.

Meli youth services manager Mandy Baxter said Meli supported some of the most vulnerable young people in the community, and highlighted the wide-reaching impact of Meli’s programs.

“The Geelong Reignite Project has supported young people colliding with the youth justice system, their experience of life not always opportune or fair – systems often too wide or high for true inclusion, or equity, their voice often muffled, their champions lacking.”

She said an independent report commissioned by the Department of Justice and Community Safety showed reoffending among those who participated in the project halved, from 92 per cent before the program to 46 per cent afterwards.

“I reflect on this finding, and I know it’s because for a period of time our team became the champions and maintained the narrative of ‘Yes you can’ and our young people did the rest.”

Through the proejct, consultancy Management Governance Australia has developed resources targeting service providers, government partners and youth justice workers.

Meli chief executive officer Grant Boyd welcomed guests to the new organisation’s first official event, and said Meli’s goal was to provide help for people at every stage of life, especially young people who face many challenges.

The Youth Client Voice Project was made possible with $41,000 in funding from the Victorian government’s Crime Prevention Strategy, and Minister for Police and Minister for Crime Prevention Anthony Carbines was in attendance at last week’s event to officially launch it.

“Youth crime is complex and challenging – the Youth Client Voice Project is helping services to better respond by giving our youth of Geelong an opportunity to voice their stories,” Mr Carbines said.

“This project provides young people with strong social connections that set them up for better lives, and I’m proud to be part of a government that’s investing in the future of young Victorians.”

For more information, head to bcyf.org.au/youth-client-voice