By Danielle Kutchel
Afri-Aus Care, in partnership with Westfield Fountain Gate, Victoria Police and Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), have relaunched their successful outreach program at the shopping centre.
The Community Leaders Outreach program was first launched in September 2019, and saw members of the South Sudanese and Pacific Islander communities join police in proactive patrols of Fountain Gate Shopping Centre to help build relationships with young people.
The initiative resulted in a reduction in anti-social activity at the centre.
With the advent of the global pandemic, the outreach program was forced to shut – but on Thursday 10 December it was relaunched with the support of all partners.
Young people will be able to make contact with the outreach program via the ADRA community bus, which parks near the Fountain Gate Hotel, every Thursday evening.
There, community leaders will be able to assist visitors to access support with employment, education, mental health, housing and emergency relief.
“The community leaders and outreach bus will cover two key areas: after-hours support for at-risk youth through counsellors, and to decrease anti-social behaviour in a family-friendly precinct,” said Rebecca Auriant, ADRA director.
Westfield Fountain Gate centre manager, Craig Tapping, said: “At Westfield Fountain Gate, we’re proud to support the community outreach program and continue our work with Victoria Police, ADRA, Afri-Aus Care and community leaders to engage with youth to prevent antisocial behaviour.
“We act as a connection point for youth within the community by providing them access to community leaders and a diverse range of support services from education, employment and youth services to legal and mental health services.”
