‘We’re here to support them’: Townsville teens to graduate from youth mentoring program

Nine Townsville teenagers will graduate from Project Booyah in June, successfully “turning their lives around” during the 16 week program.

Drew will be completing the Project Booyah program in Townsville, which is coordinated by Constable Jennifer Dare.

At-risk Townsville teens have “turned their lives around” and are preparing for their big moment as graduates of Queensland Police’s Project Booyah program.

Since February, nine North Queensland boys have taken part in the program, which aims to help young people make better life choices through a variety of activities, including resilience training, adventure-based learning and social and skill development training.

Project Booyah co-ordinator Constable Jennifer Dare said she’s incredibly proud to see the youngsters achieve what they have.

“We’ve taken the boys who are disengaged from school, they’ve gotten into some trouble, taken the wrong path in life,” she said.

“They’ve done the program and have come out the other end having a bit more direction in their lives.”

Constable Jennifer Dare coordinates the Project Booyah program in Townsville.

Constable Dare said it’s crucial to give young people the opportunity to do better.

“They’re not stuck in a box where they’re doing the wrong thing, they’ve made some wrong decisions, but there’s options out there to better their lives,” she said.

Meshak decided to take the 16-week program to help him at school, and said he couldn’t recommend it more.

“I used to wake up late, not go to school and all that,” he said.

“I got that sorted out, and I’ve gone to school more.”

Meshak will be completing the Project Booyah program in Townsville.

“[The program] has given me more opportunities.”

Constable Dare said Meshak is one of the many success stories of Project Booyah.

“That’s what we’re all about, just to be able to have those kids, who might have been offending, realise that’s not the path they want to take, we’re here to support them,” she said.

“We always touch base with them every couple of weeks to make sure they’re still travelling in that right direction, and making sure they know that there’s still support systems in place for them.”

Recruitments for the next program intake in July have begun.

Originally published as ‘We’re here to support them’: Townsville teens to graduate from youth mentoring program