Youth lead from the front

By Bridget Cook
PROJECTS aimed at assisting young people in the local community have received a funding boost.
The Young People’s Action Committee (YPAC) of the Narre Warren South and Hampton Park Youth Foundations Victoria (YFV) awarded grants to youth-led projects on Monday 28 June.
The grants are for community strengthening projects and address issues faced by young people.
YPAC received seven applications for youth-led projects. The committee assessed these grants against local criteria and awarded six grants totalling $11,900.
Narre Warren South MP Judith Graley congratulated recipients.
“Projects funded include promoting youth mentoring and leadership, multiculturalism and arts and culture,” she said.
“I congratulate the young people who will lead these programs and acknowledge the very hard work of the Young People’s Action Committee.”
YFV is a partnership between the State Government, Bendigo Bank, South Eastern Region Migrant Resource Centre and local partnership groups.
Narre Warren South and Hampton Park is one of 15 sites established since the project commenced in 2006/07.
In each YFV locality, young people from different backgrounds look at the needs of their community and carry out fundraising and grant-making to fund young people to run activities.
“Youth Foundations Victoria is an exciting new initiative to help young people make a real difference to their communities,” Ms Graley said.