Ipswich-based charity Traction For Young People Ltd is one of 35 organisations across Australia to share in $28.3 million to support at-risk youth through the Albanese Labor Government’s Youth Empowerment Program.

Under the program, Traction For Young People will receive a $850,000 grant to expand its successful ‘Build’ program in the Ipswich region.

The initiative involves workshops in schools that provide mentoring support for young people to develop their skills and confidence, and helps them complete projects, like building a bike, which they get to keep.

Traction currently works in several schools in the Ipswich region, including Ipswich State High School, Bremer State High School, Redbank Plains State High School, Bellbird Park State High School, Ripley Valley State Secondary College and Springfield Central State High School.

Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann was thrilled that Traction was chosen to benefit from this groundbreaking program to support young people, and improve community safety.

“Traction For Young People was selected to receive funding under the Youth Empowerment Program because it has a strong and established presence in our local community and has proven its ability to deliver effective and innovative youth engagement activities,” Mr Neumann said.

“This investment will make a positive impact on the lives of young people aged 10 to 17 by promoting connections with family, schools and community, and help to break their involvement in criminal and anti-social behaviours.”

Mr Neumann said Traction For Young People had developed significant capability working with at-risk youth to help them make healthy choices, divert them away from crime, and strengthen community safety.

“We know their programs have a significant positive impact for young people, their families, schools and community.

“This is great recognition of the evidence-based, early intervention and prevention approach it is delivering with vulnerable young people in our region.”

“Traction For Young People is helping to keep young people on the right track.”

The Youth Empowerment Program provides funding for programs for youth aged 10 to 17 who are engaged in, or at risk of becoming engaged in, criminal or anti-social behaviour.

It complements the Albanese Government’s U25-GO program, which supports crime prevention and drug diversion programs for youth under the age of 25 at risk of engaging with the criminal justice system.

It comes on top of the Federal Labor Government’s $4-million commitment for African Youth Centres across South East Queensland, including one in Redbank Plains in Ipswich, to support young African Australians at risk.

“I know the volunteers and mentors at the Redbank Plains Youth Centre do amazing work providing guidance to young people when it comes to early intervention and rehabilitation, and this funding will allow them to do even more,” he said.

The Albanese Government is delivering significant investments to strengthen community safety and improve access to justice for all Australians.