Toowoomba’s Project Booyah celebrates first graduation

A police program with a proven record of building self-confidence, respect and emotional resilience in at risk young people has celebrated its first graduating class.

The first cohort of young people has graduated from the Toowoomba Project Booyah early intervention program that is aimed at reducing youth crime.

The award-winning program was launched in the Garden City earlier this year and took in eight young women who were at risk of disengaging with school or work.

They were put through a 16-week mentorship, leadership, education and adventure-based learning program to build their confidence, self-esteem and emotional regulation.

“The highlight for me has been to see the girls’ confidence grow, watch them form new friendships and see their perseverance to achieve,” Project Booyah Toowoomba Co-ordinator Senior Constable Masson said.

“Since the program began none of the girls have been involved in any offending behaviour, which is an outstanding outcome for them and our community.

“Most will be going back to school, with some wanting to pursue future careers in youth work, childcare and personal training.

Project Booyah Toowoomba Co-ordinator Senior Constable Masson.

“Three also have part time jobs which is fantastic to see their work ethic and commitment.

“I’m looking forward to Project Booyah continuing to grow here in Toowoomba to support our young people and community.”

More than 970 young people have graduated from Project Booyah programs since 2016.

The participants are referred to the service by their schools and the courts if they are starting to drift in anti-school behaviour.

“The changes have been quite remarkable, their mood is lighter, they are happier, they are a great group, we are really proud of how they have done and they are going to go onto great things” Snr Const Masson said.

“We really try to push them out of their comfort zones to show them that they are more capable than they may think.”

“The next phases is where the real works starts for them, we will support them as they transition back to school, or back to work getting a job in the community through our connections here.”

About 60 per cent of previous participants go on to further education or training, while about 30 per cent obtain a job.

The first cohort was all girls and the second intake will be all boys.

Project Booyah State Co-ordinator Senior Sergeant Lester Brooks said the key to Booyah’s success is it does not just end at graduation.

“Each of our graduates continue to be given ongoing support and guidance into the future,” Senior Sergeant Brooks said.

“We are incredibly proud of the young people who have been through Booyah and really turned their lives around.

“It shows the importance of early intervention strategies like Project Booyah, in giving young people the tools and support they need to stay on track and help us break the cycle of youth crime.”

Project Booyah is run in partnership with the PCYC and is based at the Denise Kable Youth Services Centre in Newtown.

It was co-funded under the Queensland Government’s newly formed Youth Development Partnership Fund – a joint initiative between the Department of Tourism and Sport and the Queensland Police Service.