An important program that supports vulnerable young people is in danger of closing due to a lack of state and federal government funding.
Local MP Darren Chester has praised a group of Gippsland youth for their brave and passionate efforts to have their voices heard in Parliament House in a bid to secure ongoing support.
“I had the privilege of engaging with a remarkable group of Gippsland youth at Parliament House as they strive to secure ongoing funding,” Mr Chester said.
“Members of Gippsland Youth Spaces (GYS) from all three locations in Morwell, Sale, and Bairnsdale showed incredible courage and passion as they advocated for their not-for-profit organisation, which provides resources and experienced staff to support the delivery of services to improve the mental health and wellbeing, resilience, community connectedness, education and future outlook of local young people.
“I was impressed by the group’s bravery, especially as members opened up about their past traumatic experiences before highlighting how profoundly GYS has influenced their lives, helping them navigate challenges that far exceed what most of their peers could even begin to understand.”
GYS’s motto is ‘youth-led, adult-guided: nothing about us, without us’ which sees the Board as an equal partnership of young people and others, including other for-purpose entities such as the Centre for Multicultural Youth, Baw Latrobe Local Learning and Employment Network and GippSport.
A dynamic team of 35 young people also forms the Youth Programs Committee, which is responsible for deciding the activities and projects that will receive funding from GYS.
Mr Chester said GYS delegates travelled to Canberra to meet with MPs as part of the Board’s plans to establish multiple lines of funding for projects and the organisation’s continued operation.
“The group of local youth did an outstanding job of ensuring the voices of young people in Gippsland were heard,” Mr Chester said.
“I look forward to supporting GYS as they collaborate with industry, business, and all levels of government to secure ongoing funding, ensuring the organisation’s continued work in connecting youth aged 12 to 25 years with peers, community, education, employment, and brighter futures.”
