Australian Government’s focus on youth with funding extension

The Minister for Community Services, John Cobb, today announced $7.2 million in funding for 101 local youth services, providing practical support for young people, families and communities.

Mr Cobb said the YouthLinx Program provides early intervention assistance to young people aged 11 to 16 and their families. The program aims to build self-reliance, strengthen family relationships and encourage community involvement.

‘There are currently 101 YouthLinx services in urban, rural and remote locations throughout Australia supplying a range of structured activities to young people, including recreational, vocational, cultural, educational and personal development,’ Mr Cobb said.

‘Local councils and community organisations deliver the services and target specific groups, such as young people with disabilities and cultural groups.

‘For example, the YouthLinx in the City of Moreland in Melbourne provides a number of after school programs for Turkish, Lebanese and Islamic young people, including sports programs for young women.

‘There are also 27 services with a strong focus on Indigenous youth, with some services located in Indigenous communities.

‘The Tangentyre Council in Alice Springs provides a YouthLinx service to Indigenous young people in the surrounding town camps by providing fun after school activities, such as circus skills, arts and craft programs and drum workshops.

‘Through YouthLinx, the Australian Government continues to help families and local communities in helping their young people. Together, through their local youth services, we can achieve much better solutions to the issues facing young people,’ Mr Cobb said.