AUSTRALIA
Giving youth a second chance
Going to prison is a sure-fire way to mess up young lives. But during last month’s Bail Out Week, spending time behind bars was a way to unlock a life of prosperity for troubled youths in Whitelion’s mentoring program.
Bail Out aimed to raise awareness and $250,000 for programs that help give vulnerable youth opportunities through jobs and meaningful relationships with mentors. The final event in the week-long program involved “inmates”, who raised $1000 for the cause, being locked up in cells in the former police city watch-house. Event organisers paroled them from their cell once the $1000 bail was in the bag.
Diamond Valley-based team leader Luke Mitchell said the event was crucial to continuing its programs, which had recorded great success in helping turn young people’s lives around.
The non-profit organisation works with young people within or at risk of being involved with Youth Justice, Out of Home Care and Leaving Care services. “Only about 18 per cent of young people involved in our employment program actually get locked up again,” Mr Mitchell said. “And the normal rate of incarceration for re-offenders is about 80 per cent. For our groups of kids with mentors and jobs it’s almost zero per cent.”
Jeff Hamilton, employment program team leader, said the organisation was a lifeline to some youth, helping them get a job, tackle substance abuse and straighten out their lives. “Last year we employed about 74 young people in jobs who had been through either the justice system or Out Of Home Care,” Mr Hamilton said.
Jen Shand
6 June 2010
http://diamond-valley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/giving-youth-a-second-chance/
