Makin Youth Services meet Minister

Member for Makin, Trish Draper took Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Larry Anthony, to the Salvation Army Ingle Farm to meet with workers from the local Salisbury Reconnect service and local JPET program.

“Services such as these are the glue that keeps local communities together. They do a great job to support young people and their families at times when they need help,” Mr Anthony said.

“Salisbury Reconnect has helped vulnerable young people to maintain links with their families, education and their communities,” Mrs Draper said.

“The service employs two full time workers and receives more than $160,000 a year. I am pleased to say this funding has recently been extended for another three years.

“As well as working directly with clients, the service has sought to increase the awareness of an early intervention approach and for community organisations to work collaboratively to support young people and their families,” Mrs Draper said.

Mr Anthony said the Job Placement Employment Training (JPET) program focuses on young people between 15 and 21 years who are at risk of becoming homeless. JPET helps them to overcome barriers preventing them from getting stable accommodation and focuses on education, vocational training or work.

“The Ingle Farm JPET is contracted to the Salvation Army and has strong links to the community. They have helped 71 young people since July 2001, nearly half had been in trouble with the law,” Mr Anthony said.

“Having both these services for vulnerable young people helps the community as a whole.

“Mrs Draper is a strong advocate in Canberra for services that strengthen families. I am glad to have had the opportunity to look at the work these services do on the ground.

“The Coalition Government is committed to delivering a range of early intervention and prevention programs to ensure we have stronger families and stronger communities,” Mr Anthony said.