The Finocchiaro CLP Government is continuing its investment in young Territorians with multi-year funding commitments.
The Government has locked in a $7m five-year funding program for the Palmerston Y Northern Territory (YNT) Youth Centre.
New agreement for Palmerston to 2031 will provide greater certainty for the service provider and ensure continuity for young people and their families.
The Finocchiaro CLP Government is continuing its investment in young Territorians, locking in a $7m multi-year funding program for the Palmerston Y Northern Territory (YNT) Youth Centre.
Together with the existing SHAK program and pending northern suburbs Youth Hub in Darwin, the service forms a key part of the Government's network of youth hubs providing safe, supervised and pro-social after-hours activities for young people across the Top End.
The new five-year agreement for Palmerston to 2031 will provide greater certainty for service providers and ensuring continuity for young people and their families.
Minister for Youth, Seniors and Equality Jinson Charls said youth hubs provide young Territorians with safe places to connect, participate and seek support.
"Young people need safe, welcoming places where they can connect with others, take part in positive activities and access support when they need it," Minister Charls said.
"This multi-year funding commitment gives certainty to a trusted local organisation to deliver important youth services in Palmerston.
"Youth hubs give young Territorians aged 10 to 17 access to free, safe and supervised spaces where they can participate in structured and unstructured activities, build positive relationships and access wraparound support.
"This is about early intervention, positive engagement and giving young people opportunities to thrive.
"For young people in Palmerston that means a hub that's always there and a team who knows them well enough to notice when they need extra support. This partnership is exactly the kind of long-term investment that helps young people live better lives."
Chief Executive Officer of Y Northern Territory (YNT) Trevor Cox said the funding meant his organisation could plan for the future.
"The Y Northern Territory has been proud to stand alongside young Territorians in Palmerston for years, and this five-year commitment from the NT Government means we can keep doing that work without interruption," Mr Cox said.
"Certainty like this lets us plan properly, bringing in the right programs, keeping experienced staff in place, and building the kind of trust with young people that takes time to earn."
The Y Northern Territory will receive $1.4 million a year for five years to operate the Palmerston Centre, while additional funding announcements for other youth hubs across the Territory due shortly.
Jonathon McDonald, YNT Palmerston Youth Centre Manager, said it was fantastic to have the support of the Government for the next five years.
"That ongoing support means we can continue delivering for young people and building on the six years of solid operations we've already established," Mr McDonald said.
"Over the next five years, we'll continue providing meals, support and opportunities for young people in Palmerston, helping the next generation of young Territorians grow into leaders and advocates in their own communities."
"Being part of this journey is deeply personal for me. I started attending The SHAK in the northern suburbs when I was 10 or 11 years old, where I built great relationships with the staff and took part in leadership programs that helped me develop as a young person.
"I never imagined that life would come full circle and that I'd one day be working in this space in the Palmerston region. I understand first-hand the difference these programs can make in the lives of young people, and I'm excited about the possibilities we can create for the young people we support over the next five years."
The youth hubs provide after-hours activities designed to promote positive social outcomes, strengthen connections and support young people to make healthy and positive choices.
