CRANBOURNE has been touted as the home of a new one-stop integrated youth centre.
Casey councillors have given the green light to the establishment of a 24-hour facility that would locate a range of youth services under the one roof.
Local community figures say the centre would include all the major agencies required by young people experiencing serious problems or crisis including drug and alcohol, sexual assault support, legal services, counselling, employment and training services and multicultural support.
Acting Sergeant Greg Lee of Endeavour Hills police station pitched the idea to councillors at last week’s General Purposes Committee meeting in a bid to combat the growing youth problem in Casey.
Act Sgt Lee said a one-stop shop would provide a range of benefits to young people, including minor offenders and troubled youth, and aid in the rehabilitation process for welfare agencies and the police.
“This proposal stems from my experiences of dealing with young offenders through the CIB,” he said.
“Instead of scattering youth services all over Casey it would be more user friendly to co-locate them to the one building.
“By putting all the expertise under the one roof we would be sharing knowledge and resources, identifying issues and fostering stronger relationships.
“It would be a place where people could go to get help but also just to give them something to do.”
Act Sgt Lee said it was important to steer away from the ‘lock them up’ mentality and offer intervention programs as the primary alternative to jail.
“Often they go to jail, get in the system and don’t get any help.
“That’s why it is imperative to have 24 hour contact between police and youth services so that if we pick up a young person at 3am they can be placed in care rather than immediately thrown in jail.
“Most times they have to be remanded because there is nowhere else for them to go after hours.
“We want young people to know that we are here to help, not always to lock them up,” he said.
Cranbourne drug and alcohol worker Terry Knights said he was all for a one-stop youth centre to get young people off the streets and occupied with positive programs.
“There is a definite need for more youth outreach workers, particularly in Cranbourne.
“The number one statement I receive from kids is that they are bored. And boredom creates low self-esteem, a lack of social skills and their employment value goes out the window.
“This centre needs passion and determination and I can’t wait to get in there and give it a shot,” he said.
River Gum Ward councillor Wayne Smith said councillors had formed a committee to investigate possible locations and funding sources for the construction of the youth centre.
“Many young people are being forced to visit the Visy Care Centre in Dandenong because there is nothing of that scale around here.
“I know kids don’t like travelling so there needs to be a local support agency in Casey.
“We are investigating whether council could supply a building for all the local agencies to come and contribute. Location will be the biggest argument because we’ll have to decide whether it goes north or south.
“Transport is an issue in Casey and it’s no good if kids can’t get there,” he said.
“However, I can’t see anyone in the community who would say this was not a worthwhile project.”
– Alison Noonan
