A new community initiative targeting youth disengagement and crime prevention has launched in Melbourne’s north-west.
The Youth Empowerment Program (YEP) is designed to support 10 to 17-year olds who are at risk of, or currently engaged in, the justice system.
Over two years, up to 100 young people will participate in the program delivered by Saints Education in collaboration with Brimbank council, neighbourhood houses, Victoria Police, the Department of Education and The Youth Junction Inc.
Dr Karen Hart is the director of research, service improvement and partnerships at Saints Knowledge Institute — the research, training and advocacy arm of Saints Education.
She said that the organisation is seeing the program as a “soft re-entry back into education“.
“There are concerningly high numbers of primary school children who are just attending school spasmodically, or not at all,” she said.
“The intention is to reintegrate [children and young people] back into their mainstream school, another education environment or to Saints College…What we want is a tangible outcome.”
The YEP consists of five Intensive Mini-Projects (IMPs).
Each 12-week IMP combines education, group work, one-on-one case management, and a two-night leadership camp.
Sessions are scheduled outside school hours – afternoons, evenings, and weekends – when young people are most vulnerable to risk-taking or criminal activity.
After completing an IMP, young people receive an additional six months of ongoing monitoring and support.
