Funding announced for three key youth projects in the Rockingham/Kwinana area

9/11/98

Youth Minister Mike Board has announced funding for three key youth projects in the Rockingham/Kwinana area.

The projects include:

·      establishing a youth skills training centre and restaurant ($15,000);

·      producing a pamphlet to raise awareness of issues surrounding youth suicide ($3,100 funding); and -

·      expanding the distribution of a Youth Services Directory ($1,632);

The Minister announced the funding and presented cheques to the project organisers after attending a regional Cabinet meeting held at the Town of Kwinana.

Mr Board said he was particularly pleased to approve the funding for the establishment of a training restaurant in Kwinana. He said the project would generate confidence among young people in the area.

"This facility will help local youth develop the skills to gain employment and establish themselves on a long-term career path," the Minister said.

"Most importantly, the training will be available locally, so young people won't have to spend time and money travelling to Fremantle, or even further afield, to study."

The training program has also received funding from the Federal Department of Employment and Training, the WA Department of Training and the Lotteries Commission. It will involve about 40 young people at a time and is designed to become self funding within 3 years.

The Minister said funding for the Rockingham/Kwinana Youth Suicide Prevention Network again showed the State Government's determination to raise community awareness of the issue and to work co-operatively towards saving young people's lives.

Mr Board said funding for the project would enable the network to produce information pamphlets to educate parents about the symptoms of youth stress and their susceptibility to self-harm.

"Our young people often face a range of stresses of which their parents are unaware," the Minister said.

"By assisting parents to understand these stresses, and to recognise the symptoms which may lead to self-harm, we can help them provide a supportive environment in which those at risk can develop healthy strategies for survival."

The pamphlets would also provide information on local resources, which provide support for young people, parents and carers.

The third project to be funded resulted from an initiative of the Rockingham Youth Advisory Council. It would see a reprint of the local Youth Services Directory distributed to young people through high schools, libraries and youth agencies throughout the area.

Media Contact: Jody Robb 9222 9211