Night Outreach family engagement program Geraldton Western Australia Geraldton Streetwork Aboriginal Corporation

Overview Our Youth Outreach Program Community Involvement Our Community GSAC (Youth Corporation) Our Youth Outreach Program Community Involvement Outcomes so far The Future Geraldton Streetwork Aboriginal Corporation Night outreach program began Objective The Bus The community The Youth Data collection and Outcomes The Future

OUR COMMUNITY Coastal community 500 kms north of Perth Population 41,000 10% Indigenous Population High Indigenous Youth Population

Geraldton Streetwork Aboriginal Corporation Established in 1987 Work primarily with Aboriginal Youth, Families and community Core aspirations : - Healthy safe environment for Youth , Young People , Families - Positive transition to Adulthood - Strengthen cultural identity (Gunnado Farm)

The Issue The increase in actual and perceived anti-social behaviour with increased number of unsupervised Aboriginal Youth & Children in West End CBD area on a Thursday Night .

Why - Night Outreach Program Developed in response to community concerns Initial Volunteer out reach – finding out why Youth/Young people in CBD and how to assist IAS 3 yr program – 5 Community members based at CBD Thursday night 6pm til 9pm. Community members all trained extensively , Working with Children check, DCS Screening etc Developed in response to community concerns raised around the perceived number of youth Volunteers went out to discover why the kids were out and how to assist them Once the program was funded the community members were able to spend time with the kids, provide them with a meal and develop a mentoring relationship Today, there are 5 community members who operate out of a bus to reach the children and create a safer environment for them at night

The Youth Arrive: walk, dropped, school known gathering place Safe supervised CBD spot Children of all ages flow in and out of the foreshore area Categorized by under 10s, 10 to 12, 13 to 15, 16 to 18 and 18+

On Site – CBD

The Youth N Motion Bus City of Greater Geraldton owned - contracted to the GSAC Activities inside the bus: Video games, board games, hair and nails Activities outside the bus : Sporting activities , BBQ, 3 on 3 Basketball Court Youth N Motion Bus- owned by the City of Greater Geraldton and contracted to the Geraldton Streetwork Aboriginal Corporation Bus is the base of the event. Activities inside the bus: Video games, board games, hair and nails Store supplies: sports equipment, and BBQ supplies

The Community Involvement City of Greater Geraldton CBD Businesses Yamaji Patrol Geraldton Police Families

Outcomes so far.. Average of 47 children visit each Thursday night(Jan 2016 to June 2016) Supervised structured activities in place Safe youth spot in CBD Enables collection of important data regarding who is on the streets and why Improved position CBD Business relationships All objectives being met Supported by Careful Collection of data regarding who is on the streets and why Average of 47 children visit each night(Jan 2016 to June 2016) Data collection occurs through two surveys throughout the night collected by one volunteer for consistency. Volunteer survey: demographics Survey for children

The Future We know that CBD remains a popular meeting place for Aboriginal youth and young people Age Group is getting younger New Youth Precinct on Foreshore is drawing more Youth and Younger people to the area . Expansion: Multiple Locations throughout the Geraldton CBD ( community partnerships)

THANK YOU The program is supported through Geraldton Streetwork Aboriginal Corporation , Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, City of Greater Geraldton , Geraldton Community Patrol (Yamatji Patrol) .