A new Gunida Gunyah Aboriginal Corporation service will focus on supporting at-risk Indigenous youth in the Gunnedah community.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Young males aged 12-15 years who are disengaging from high school, and/or have mental health concerns, and behavioural problems are the focus of the program.
The service will include case management, and a youth group with related activities.
Read also:
Gunida Gunyah chief executive officer Jane Bender said since COVID-19 hit, youth disengagement was "more intense" than the organisation first thought.
"We're trying to engage them back into the community as well as engaging them back into the education system," she said.
She said Warranggal Dhiyan staff at Gunida Gunyah would pick the boys up from school once a week to spend about two hours in the program.
"At first we'll develop a case management plan, and work out some goals and what we need to work on," Ms Bender told ACM.
"We'll also have guest speakers and role models come in, and also take them on excursions, as a type of reward."
So far the program is aimed at young males, but Ms Bender said if there was enough interest from local girls, things may change.
"It's only for boys because [Gunnedah High School] has the Girls Academy, but we have had some inquiries for some girls. We've been referring them to other agencies but we're building a database and if there is a great need, we'll do that as well," she explained.
There is currently a waiting list for the youth service, but referrals can be made by parents by calling Gunida Gunyah on 6742 7038.