Contract for JT’S youth academy
Senior ministers visited the Far North yesterday to give updates on a number of youth initiatives, including the announcement of a $250,000 contract for the Johnathan Thurston Academy.
Thurston said he was excited to continue his successful youth programs in the region as participants often re-engaged with school and became mentors on future programs.
“I’m so proud of the young people who are showing up to this program and keep showing up for themselves,” he said.
“This is an amazing group of young adults with so much potential. To see the changes they’re making in themselves and their commitment to take a different direction in life just blows my mind.”
Acting Commissioner George Marchesini said invention programs provided participants the chance to turn their lives around.
“Prevention and disruption of youth offending is integral to us combating youth crime issues,” he said.
Police Minister Mark Ryansaid the State Government funded youth program which involved a partnership between Queensland Police and the JT Academy has been proven to significantly reduce juvenile offending among its participants.
“I’m very pleased to see an independent evaluation highlighting the success of the You Got This program which has received funding under the Community Based Crime Action Committees initiative,” he said.
“We are seeing terrific outcomes intervening early to support disengaged and at-risk youth through effective programs suchas You Got This (which) is vital in diverting youth away from criminal behaviour”.
Mr Ryan declined to comment on how discussions are progressing at a ministerial level on the establishment of a youth detention centre in Cairns.
“All I can say is progress is being made,” he said.
Mr Ryan also slapped down calls for a general youth curfew to help combat the rocketing crime rates in the Far North.