A highly successful Queensland Police Service initiative aimed at helping curb youth crime through early intervention and education has today launched on the Sunshine Coast for the first time.
Project Booyah is a multi-agency initiative targeting 'at risk' youth who are involved with criminal/ anti-social behaviour, substance abuse or disengagement from school and works towards giving them skills for life and employability through police mentoring, leadership, adventure-based learning and vocational pathways.
Police Minister Mark Ryan said the launch of Project Booyah on the Sunshine Coast would provide troubled youths with a life-changing opportunity.
"Wherever Project Booyah operates across Queensland we are seeing tremendous results.
"We are seeing young people turn their lives around, re-engaging with educational and employment opportunities.
"But the most important change we see in these young people is their attitude towards themselves.
"Project Booyah works because it imbues young people with a newfound respect for themselves and others.
"It also gives them renewed self-confidence," the Minister said.
Over the four-month intensive project run from Nambour PCYC, 11 successful applicants will be exposed to wilderness adventure therapy, expedition based outdoor education, problem solving exercises, targeted program community integration, policing strategies and family inclusive principles.
The award-winning program which has run state-wide since 2012 has seen 789 participants graduate, 423 young people successfully obtain a certificate qualification in hospitality and 375 youths re-engage with education.
Sunshine Coast District Superintendent Darryl Johnson said the Project will enable local teens to build resistance and make better life choices.
"Getting these at-risk young people to feel valued will ensure they can become respected and productive members of the Sunshine Coast community and achieve significant changes," Superintendent Johnson said.
"Early intervention and improved relations with police is an important step in helping to eliminate anti-social tendencies, improve health, education and employment opportunities and reduce juvenile crime rates on the Sunshine Coast," he said.
Project Booyah formally commences on April 26 with Graduation Day schedule for July 3, 2019.
The 10-week program involves a commitment of two days per week; one day completing a Cert II in Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways and one mentor day that involves a combination of social and skill development training, functional literacy/ numeracy and education and mentoring through the RESPECT program.
This program is followed by 4-week intensive Frame the Future program and all participants are then offered ongoing support offered by QPS youth workers until they are 18.
A leadership day, Right of Passage camp, health, work readiness and a variety of motivational guest speakers also will also add to the Booyah experience.
Ends
Media contacts
Minister Ryan's Office: Ph: (07) 3035 8300
Police Media: Ph: (07) 3015 2444
