Bimberi and PCYC to benefit from Heywire grant


Released 08/08/2017

As part of the ongoing working relationship between the Canberra Police Community Youth Club (PCYC) and Bimberi Youth Justice Centre, PCYC will use a new grant to help support young people as they transition from Bimberi back into the community.

PCYC ACT was today awarded a $10,000 ABC Heywire Youth Innovation Grant.

ABC Heywire Youth Innovation Grants provide seed funding to community organisations to implement ideas developed at the Heywire Regional Youth Summit. PCYC will use the grant to implement the Need a Nanna Network, one of the seven initiatives developed by young people at the 2017 Summit.

Minister for Disability, Children and Youth, Rachel Stephen-Smith, welcomed the piloting of the mentoring program at Bimberi.

“This grant will build on the positive work that Bimberi and PCYC already do together to support young people at the Centre.

“The program will link young people coming out of Bimberi with an experienced and supportive person who can help them to stay on track.

“This will boost the transition support already in place for young people exiting care.

“Improving transition from detention will also be a focus of the Youth Justice Blueprint Taskforce, which will provide advice on actions for the second five years of the 10 year Blueprint.”

Ms Cheryl O’Donnell, PCYC Executive Manager, welcomed the opportunity to expand PCYC’s engagement with young people from Bimberi.

“I’m very excited that we can take our service for these young people further with the Heywire grant and the Need a Nanna program.

“We’re in Bimberi every week taking part in sporting activities with the young people who live there. We have been involved there since Bimberi opened in 2008. We run educational programs in Bimberi focused on developing and displaying respect for others, as well as developing self-respect which builds self-esteem, and prepares young people to return to the community as more rounded citizens.

“It has always been a very positive place for us to work especially as the young people in Bimberi have direct access to us, and we (and the Bimberi staff) can directly support them. It is great to know that with the Need a Nanna Program we will be able to continue supporting young people from Bimberi once they have returned to the community.”
If you are interested in volunteering to be a mentor in the Need a Nanna program go to www.pcyc.net.au/voluteers-mentors.

- Statement ends -

Rachel Stephen-Smith, MLA | Media Releases


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