Not-for-profit group receives $185,000 to tackle youth crime

Source: Newcastle Herald | By: Nick Bielby | Posted: June 1, 2018

A Lake Macquarie organisation will receive $185,000 from the NSW government for an 18 month program aimed at stamping out youth crime and anti social behaviour.

Community Activities Lake Macquarie will use the money to fund the Cardiff Collaborative Community project, which will allow high schools, the juvenile justice sector, out-of-home care providers, youth workers, employment agencies and other bodies to work together to reduce youth crime at Cardiff and Glendale.

It will also allow the not-for-profit organisation, also known as CALM, to employ a community development officer. 

CEO Sheena Harvey said details had not been finalised, but the organisation had formed a steering committee to drive the process.

“We do know it will offer school and community based programs, a Youth Week 2019 event and community connect days,” she said. 

“It will be exciting to see what ideas the young people and stakeholders come up with.”

Attorney General Mark Speakman announced the funding on Friday.

“Grassroots community programs like the one run by CALM helps residents understand the issues in their community and encourages them to play an important role in addressing them,” Mr Speakman said.

Lake Macquarie MP Greg Piper said CALM was helping improve social cohesion.

“The focus is on early intervention for at-risk youth to keep them off the streets and help them before major issues arise,” he said. 

“The initiative aims to find creative ways to engage teenagers to keep them out of trouble, including hip-hop music workshops, mentoring programs and street art lessons.”