A program that helps turn young people away from offending has received a substantial funding boost from the State Government.
Narre Warren South MP Gary Maas has announced that YSAS will receive $700,000 in funding for the extension of its Pivot program, which is offered at its Casey and Dandenong locations.
The funding is part of the State Government’s Youth Crime Prevention Grants program, which received $4.4 million in the 2021-22 State Budget to extend projects across Victoria for an additional 12 months.
The Pivot program supports young people from 14-24 who have repeatedly ended up in the justice system to get away from crime, improve their health and wellbeing and make a positive contribution to the community.
Through intensive outreach-based case work, Pivot builds resilience and capacity in high-risk young people, reducing the risk factors that might push them towards crime.
Pivot also helps their families learn how to provide support to their loved ones.
Pivot workers assist young people to build skills, relationships and community connections through activities like therapy, crisis management and group work.
Youth are engaged through coaching, mentoring, employment and education opportunities, all of which work to address the underlying causes of offending and steer them away from offending.
The government’s funding means Pivot has begun supporting 27 young people across Casey, Greater Dandenong and Frankston City.
Already, staff at YSAS are seeing broader community benefits for young people and their families who are involved in the program.
Meanwhile, participants have told staff just how positive the experience has been for them – especially have a support to turn to in hard times.
Between July 2017 and March 2021, Pivot supported 133 young people, giving them opportunities to overcome disadvantage.
The wraparound service differs from traditional hard-line crime deterrents, but Pivot has been proven to improve engagement in school, employment and community connectedness.
Participants have the chance to develop their motivation for change and build new skills and relationships – more effectively than they would in the criminal justice system.
“Pivot provides young people with the opportunities and support to overcome disadvantage and make a valuable contribution to community life,” YSAS CEO Andrew Bruun explained.
“By linking young people up with employment or training opportunities and providing intensive individual case work, we can meet the immediate needs of young people and their families, while keeping young people of our prison and Victorians safe.”
The model has already been successful in Casey, Dandenong and Frankston, and has the potential to be replicated in the Shire of Cardinia, he said.
“YSAS is proud of its programs, like Pivot, that take an empathetic and effective approach to crime prevention,” Mr Bruun added.
Mr Maas said YSAS do “incredible work” with local youth.
“Tackling crime in our community means tackling its root causes – by making sure that young people stay engaged we’re ensuring that they are given pathways in life that help them flourish, rather than offend,” he said.
“It is important that we make sure that those at risk have access to educational pathways, employment opportunities, and meaningful connections.
“The YSAS PIVOT program and their fantastic mentors have changed the lives of many young people and this benefits the whole community.”
