Giving drivers keys to positive success
PCYC marks a year of Braking the Cycle project
WHITLEY Jacobs will today go for her driving test which, just a few short months ago, she didn’t think would happen.
But through the Braking the Cycle program, which yesterday marked 12 months of success helping young people get their licence, the 22-year-old has the confidence to succeed.
From there, Ms Jacobs hopes to get a job - something she hasn’t been able to do without being able to drive.
If she passes, she will become the 40th Toowoomba resident to get their licence through the Braking the Cycle program, so named as it helps people drive legally and put an end to illegal behaviours, get jobs and keep them out of court.
Co-ordinator Marcus Osborne said in the past 12 months, the program’s 45 mentors have spent 34,000 volunteer hours across 22,000 sessions with 107 course participants, driving more than 70,000km around town.
The 39 successful drivers have gone on to contribute about $250,000 in value to the Toowoomba community which, while a big sum, Mr Osborne said wasn’t the headline aspect.
“What the program is designed for is, as a rule, is someone doesn’t get their licence, they generally end up driving unlicensed, or get booked or get fines, get a record, can’t get a job, go back and drive, and it’s a continuous cycle,” he said.
“By providing the cars here, the mentors and the hours ... it puts them in a better stead.
“But more importantly, they spend those (logbook) hours with these mentors who range from truck drivers to magistrates to navy commanders, in their time, and that’s what makes the difference.
“When you seen them walk out of here, they’ve done their hours, they’re a different person.”
Mr Osborne hopes to add a fifth car to the fleet and called for more mentors to volunteer their time to help expand the program.
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