DOZENS of local youth have been given a helping hand under the Youth Connections program; a service which has recently received considerable praise from Federal Government ministers, academics and case workers.
Aimed primarily at 13 — 19-year-olds, Youth Connections is a national program aimed at transitioning disengaged youth into education or employment.
The program was recently the subject of a report from RMIT University which found that, following involvement in the program, youth’s subjective well-being rose almost six percentage points after completing the program.
Local Youth Connections case worker Sam Blake said she felt the program had been working very well within the Swan Hill municipality.
“The program is only new and it is only going to improve,” she said.
“Over the history of Swan Hill there is a tendency for programs to come and go, so it’s important Youth Connections gets itself known.”
Fellow case worker Melanie Lamaro said the program was a vital pillar for youth in the local community.
“There is a shortage of youth services, so it’s important we build on them and work towards kids having options,” Ms Lamaro said.
“Swan Hill is a small enough town that sometimes young people can have a bit of a stigma about them and it can be hard to fit in.”
