By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Up to 100 disadvantaged young people will be targeted as part of a $550,000 Empower Youth program to counter youth crime in Greater Dandenong and Casey.
YSAS (Youth Support Advocacy Service) won the State Government grant to employ further youth workers in the region.
The workers will support at-risk and vulnerable young people with their health and wellbeing, community involvement, career pathways and education and training.
Narre Warren South MP Judith Couacaud Graley said young people in need of help and guidance “deserve to have every chance to succeed and excel”.
“And through this program, we will ensure they do just that.”
Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan said the program would improve social, community and economic opportunities for young people.
Casey and Greater Dandenong were identified as a priority area for the $4 million statewide program due to high levels of socio-economic disadvantage and crime.
The program was the first state grant specifically for funding youth workers in the past six years, according to the State Government.
