By BRIDGET COOK
MORE than 65 local business people teed off to raise money to help Casey’s at-risk youths.
Casey real estate agent Stockdale and Leggo hosted a charity corporate golf day and luncheon and managed to raise $6123 for the YMCA Casey Youth Mentoring Program.
The money will go towards support youth aged seven to 17 who have been deemed at risk in the community.
Young people are referred to the program and are supported by a mentor who has been carefully selected and trained to help guide the young person to reach their maximum potential.
The golf day attracted 66 local business participants who came together to play the 18-hole course at Settlers Run and then attended the luncheon.
The guest speakers at the luncheon included Victorian Youth Mentor of the Year Kevin Clarke and Senior Constable Tracey Atkins.
Mr Clarke said so many people have had such a fortunate upbringing that they forget not everyone was the same.
“I have learned not to judge,” he said. “It is so easy for others to judge our young people without truly understanding the environment they are living in.
“It’s my job to be there, support, listen and, where I can, guide towards what will best help the young person.
“I am so proud of the young man I have been lucky enough to be matched with for the past three years, I see great changes in him and a promising future, when things could have so easily gone the other way.”
Sen Con Atkins said policing challenges in Casey included issues such as increasing population, family violence and road trauma but youth issues were also a key focus.
“We know that with mentoring there is a substantial reduction in crime risk factors for youth aged six to 18,” she said.
“Statistics show 46 per cent less self-reported onset of drug abuse, 27 per cent less onset of alcohol use, 33 per cent less frequency of physical violence, 52 per cent less truancy and a significant reduction in gang involvement.”
To find out more about YMCA Youth Mentoring in Casey contact Rebecca Graham on 9700 1614.
