Mandurah Calvary Youth Centre to receive increase in funding

12/11/96

The Mandurah Calvary Youth Centre will receive an increase in funding, Family and Children's Services Minister Cheryl Edwardes and Federal Family Services Minister Judi Moylan announced today.

Mrs Edwardes said funding for the service would increase to $200,000 a year from $175,614 a year until June 30, 1998 in recognition of the vital service it provides to local communities.

The service provides short and medium term accommodation and support for up to seven homeless young people, between the ages of 16 and 25, at a time.

The increase in funding means the service can expand its information sessions for young people and its support programs for people who have stayed there before.

The service is funded through the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP), a joint State and Commonwealth Government program which provides more than 100 accommodation and support services for homeless people throughout Western Australia.

"It is vital that young people without homes have access to safe, secure accommodation and services so they can work through their crisis," Mrs Edwardes said.

"It is also important to help them develop skills that will help them reestablish their lives after the crisis.

"This service helps young people without homes to learn to look at their situation and make informed decisions and choices about the future."

Mrs Moylan said the service provided a valuable service for young people in crisis in the Mandurah area.

"It is very important for young people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless to develop skills and knowledge which will help them avoid finding themselves in a similar situation in the future," Mrs Moylan said.

"This agreement demonstrates the Commonwealth and State Governments' commitment to strengthening families and providing support for homeless people of all ages."

Media contacts: Diana Russell Coote (Minister Edwardes' Office) 09 421 7777 Martine Haley (Minister Moylan's Office) 06 277 7240