The Morrison Government is delivering an extra $50 million under round six of the Safer Communities Fund to improve community safety and help divert local at-risk youth from a life of crime.
Seventy-five practical community-led projects across Australia will be supported to work with local high-risk young people to break the cycle of repeat offending, and brings early intervention funding to a total of $69.5 million.
Senator for Victoria Sarah Henderson said programs will benefit young people to find direction and gain valuable skills and experience.
“The Morrison Government is backing our community-led solutions to crime – to ensure all residents can go about their daily lives free from violence, harassment and anti-social behaviour,” Senator Henderson said.
“All local residents deserve to feel safe and all of our local young people should have the chance to achieve their full potential.
I’m delighted the following community organisations have received grants including:
Ballarat electorate:
- $1.1 million for Berry Street for ‘Goldfields Education’ up to 40 youth who are disengaged from education and at-risk of offending in the City of Ballarat.
- $328,000 for the Young Men’s Christian Association of Ballarat to run the ‘Jump Start’ automotive program supporting young people to gain skills, experience and explore automotive as a possible future career path.
Bendigo electorate:
- The Reach Foundation at Bendigo received $232,500 for programs for fifteen-to-twenty-five year olds to help them craft their future.
Gorton electorate
- $1.12 million for Odyssey House at Melton for support services for people who experience severe problems with alcohol and/or other drug use and associated mental health issues.
Assistant Minister for Customs, Community Safety and Multicultural Affairs Jason Wood said the additional funding was in response to overwhelming demand from the community and will support organisations with demonstrated experience in helping marginalised youth, to build resilience, strengthen community connections and job readiness skills.
“These community organisations do vital work in helping get young people on the right track. We know that some young people engage in activities or have negative experiences that leave them at risk of joining gangs, committing serious crimes and disengaging from the wider community,” Assistant Minister Wood said.
“The challenges we’ve faced over the last 2 years as a result of the pandemic have only added to the sense of social isolation and disconnection that some young people feel.”
“This program ensures young people can get the support and assistance they need. I thank and congratulate the local grant recipients for their ongoing work, which we are proud to support. It’s all about creating a stronger, safer community.”
The funding will be delivered under the latest round of the Safer Communities Fund which has invested more than $265 million and provided over 720 grants directly to local communities to deliver grass roots crime prevention initiatives since 2016.
9 March 2022