THE HON MARK DREYFUS KC MP
MEMBER FOR ISAACS
MEDIA RELEASE
Youth Empowerment grants to strengthen community safety
Concern Australia's Hand Brake program in Dandenong is one of 35 organisations to benefit from the Australian Government's $28.3 million investment across Australia to support at-risk youth through the Youth Empowerment Program.
Concern Australia was chosen for this funding because they’ve demonstrated they can work with their local communities to put in place programs that will help vulnerable young people stay in school, reconnect with family and community and determine their own futures.
Concern Australia's Hand Brake Turn is a wonderful program that helps vulnerable young people in Isaacs and surrounding areas get the training, and the skills they need to get a job, and a better life.
Over the past 30 years Hand Brake Turn has mentored around 10,000 young people and I am delighted its great work has been recognised through the Albanese Government’s Youth Empowerment Program.
This program tackles youth crime at its source – it helps keep the community safe by enabling young people to break their involvement in criminal and anti-social behaviours.
With this extra funding the Hand Brake Turn program will be able to support more young people to do more courses, and more workshops. It’s a great investment in young people in our region.
The successful organisations have been selected in an open and transparent process, based on their demonstrated commitment to the community and supporting young people at risk of engaging in the criminal justice system.
This investment will make a positive impact on the lives of young people aged 10 to 17 by promoting connections with family, education and community, and help to break their involvement in criminal and anti-social behaviours.
The Youth Empowerment Program 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.
The Albanese Government is committed to tackling crime and is delivering significant investments to strengthen community safety and improve access to justice for all Australians.
Tuesday, 4 March 2025
