A new youth development program is being trialled across town camps in Alice Springs ahead of the upcoming school holidays, providing safe, structured, engagement activities for young people.
The pilot will be delivered by Tangentyere Council through a $1.35 million grant provided by the Territory Government to deliver the program from December until July.
The pilot program will be initially trialled across Karnte and Trucking Yards Town Camps, and will provide a safe place for young people to spend time together, engage in structured activities, and access support services away from the Alice Springs Central Business District.
The on town camp model will run seven days a week during the school holidays, until approximately 10pm, with hours changing once school commences in the new year.
The program will be led by Tangentyere and will be supported by Alice Springs Territory Government YORETs and NT Police working alongside the Tangentyere workers, and will:
Keep kids safe with youth workers in Town Camps, safe transport home, night patrols, and education.Teaching and learning with young people - providing access to mentors and employment opportunities, digital equipment, training and skills for now and the future.Caring for young people to keep them strong - healing and wellness through family support, workforce development and connection to country and culture.Listening to young people - training and support to develop young people into young leaders.
The program was developed in close consultation and collaboration between Territory Families, Housing and Communities, Tangentyere Council, NT Police, Fire and Emergency Services, local community groups, and through feedback from young people.
In addition to the town camp youth development program, young people in Alice Springs have access to more than 190 activities over the school holidays
Quotes from Minister for Territory Families and Urban Housing, Kate Worden:
"The Territory Labor Government knows how important it is to have a youth hub presence in Alice Springs during the upcoming summer holidays.
"Tangentyere have created a model which will work within our greater plan for youth engagement. Our YORET staff will be present at the hubs and foot patrols in the city will also still occur.
"This youth hubs model has been designed to promote the positive development of children and young people who live in Town Camps in a culturally safe and appropriate manner that meets the needs of the various young people."
Quotes from Tangentyere Council CEO Walter Shaw:
"Culture is key to our youth development model. We know that practising cultural activities increases the wellness of all Aboriginal people, including young people.
"The initial pilot programs will run from Karnte Camp and Nyewente (Trucking Yards) during the summer school holiday period from 9am until 10pm, providing structured activities and support services.
"Tangentyere youth workers in Town Camps and at Brown St provide regular sports and recreation activities and work closely with the youth and family support team. The pilot programs will extend the hours into evenings and weekends on the two initial Town Camps. Our Model has been developed with robust consultation with Town Campers, who identified the need for these programs and what they should include and informed by the advice of experts in the youth, education and support sectors."
