PCYC building stronger regional futures

THE Police Citizens Youth Club NSW and the NSW Government have committed a combined $15.6M to support young people experiencing societal challenges and disadvantage in regional and remote NSW.

In a four-year partnership, the government and the PCYC will deliver 278 programs across regional NSW in 22 locations, including Lismore.

Youth programs delivered under the partnership include Employability, Wellbeing, Leadership, and Culture and Community, which focus on encouraging young people to understand and embrace culture and community.

Established in 1937, PCYC NSW has delivered life-changing youth programs to more than 13,000 young people each year, and provided community sports and recreation, out-of-school-hours care, and driver education programs.

Member for Lismore and Minister for the North Coast, Janelle Saffin, said PCYC Lismore was one of 22 Police Citizens Youth Clubs statewide to benefit from a new partnership.

“As a longtime supporter of our PCYC here in Lismore, I’ve seen firsthand the life-changing benefits of the team’s programs for young people,” Saffin said.

 

“I advocated for Lismore to be included in this partnership as there was a strong case for it based on community need.”

The government will contribute $10 million to the partnership, with the PCYC co-contributing $5.66 million.

Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty, said the multi-year funding commitment was a game-changer for young people across regional NSW.

“The NSW Government is giving the PCYC a solid foundation to work from in planning programs that will run across multiple years with momentum and make a real difference in young people’s lives.

“By facilitating pathways to education, training, and employment through the PCYC’s programs, we are helping to break cycles of disadvantage and contributing to safer, more cohesive communities.”PCYC NSW chief executive officer, Ben Hobby, said young people across NSW faced increasing social challenges relating to educational disengagement, unemployment, community connection and poor mental health.

“These challenges are particularly acute in regional and remote NSW, where data shows youth unemployment remains significantly above the national average,” Hobby said.

“Increasing access to PCYC Youth Programs in regional NSW is an essential frontline resource for early intervention that fosters positive relationships with police, strengthens skills and creates pathways to employment for the rising generation.”