Funding injection from WA Police’s Emerging Crime Program

Thanks to three $25,000 grants from the WA Police, Geraldton PCYC will launch three exciting programs this July: the RAP Music Program, Youth Boxing and Emotional Regulation Program and Bike Rebuilding Program.

Centre Manager, Talya Quinn, has worked closely with Youth Police Officers to design these programs to engage at-risk young people aged nine to eighteen.

The RAP Music Program is a continuation of a current program where young people work with a rap music artist, Youth Police Officers and PCYC staff to write, perform and record rap songs about issues affecting the local community.

As part of the program, the Bundiyarra Aboriginal Community Aboriginal Corporation will deliver local Aboriginal language and cultural education sessions so that young people can record songs in both the local Aboriginal language and English. Recording songs in the local Indigenous language will enable young people to strengthen their connection to culture while ensuring that local knowledge is passed down to younger generations.

The Youth Boxing and Emotional Regulation Program will involve two sessions conducted weekly – one for boys and one for girls. Young people will participate in boxing and fitness sessions to build their confidence, find a way to channel their emotions in a controlled environment, learn discipline and stay physically active. In addition to this, participants will engage in educational activities on a range of topics, including anti-social behaviour, mental and physical health, nutrition and fitness. This program is in collaboration with Rayleen Councillor from Barrowa Consultancy who will deliver the Binyardi Nomor Program, a course designed by Rayleen on youth conflict resolution. Rayleen has experience dealing with Indigenous trauma, recovery, and social and emotional well-being in group settings.

The third program, Bike Rebuilding, will be run in partnership with ‘Dismantle’ where young people, with the help of mentors, will repair broken bikes over the September school holidays. Through the challenge of fixing a bike, young people will build their knowledge, social skills, confidence and ability to work as part of a team.

The Bike Rebuilding Program won’t just benefit young people, it has positive outcomes for the environment and local community as well. The program diverts broken bikes from landfill and aims to reduce the high levels of bike theft in Geraldton by allowing young people to keep the bikes they fix. After restoring the bikes, the young people will get to participate in weekly On Country bike riding sessions.

During sessions, participants will be encouraged to identify their own personal barriers to reaching their potential, discuss how to overcome challenges and receive the support they need to succeed. The Bundiyarra Aboriginal Community Aboriginal Corporation and the Northern Agricultural Catchments Council WA will provide participants with cultural education about the local land and river systems and teach them about bush tucker, native flora and the local language through stories and traditions.

PCYC is grateful for this funding and we look forward to seeing positive outcomes in many young people's lives.