Funding for community youth events

Community events, aimed at building strong relationships between young people from disadvantaged areas and their families, will be funded across the country through a new Australian Government initiative – Think Family, Think Community.

As part of the Government’s National Strategy for Young Australians, $400,000 will be available to fund local community-based events like music festivals, sporting events, family BBQs, fashion parades, or car shows during 2010.

These events will also be designed to involve young people at risk of social isolation including young carers, young people in out of home care, and young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Strong families and communities give young people the support they need as they grow up, finish school and go on to work, training and further education.

These no-cost events will give families of all shapes and sizes time to be together and have fun.

The Government recognises that a strong, supportive relationship between families and young people is one of the most important positive factors contributing to young Australians having healthy, fulfilling and productive lives.

The National Strategy for Young Australians aims to build resilience in young Australians and to support young people and their families, recognising the diversity of their circumstances, needs and capacity.

Further information on other Government initiatives aimed at young people can be found in Investing in Australia’s Young People: a stocktake of Australian Government youth initiatives at www.youth.gov.au