OUR VISION
We are transforming the lives of at-risk youth in our local community by empowering them to achieve their full potential.
- Encourage engagement with education, employment and family.
- Increase youth confidence
- Build Resilience
- Create Engagement
- Increase Self-Belief
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How we make a difference
We are a group of local business, government organisations, and community focused groups that have formed to support youth from Geelong, Bellarine and Surf Coast communities through multiple youth focused programs.
OUR PROGRAMS
Geelong Youth Engagement (GYE) was established in 2020 and has grown to support young people facing challenges from the ages 12-18yrs through our multiple youth programs including the Geelong Kokoda Youth Program which has been running since 2013.
GEELONG KOKODA YOUTH PROGRAM
The Geelong Kokoda Youth Program engages young people from every state secondary and many of the private secondary schools in the Geelong region, and we help them work through the challenges they are facing in their lives.
The young people selected for Geelong Kokoda Youth Program may have a disconnection from their education or facing other challenges that may include mental health struggles, homelessness, drug/alcohol dependencies, anti-social behaviour, family issues, amongst others.
SPRING BACK GEELONG
Spring Back Geelong is a resilience-based program for Year 10 students that takes young people out of the school setting for two days a week for a term where they will undertake challenges and activities around Geelong such as surfing, sailing, involved with Tafe Testers, visiting different businesses and government organisations such as Victoria Police. As well as being out in the community the young people will also receive training and hear from guest speakers at the GYE Hub including First Aid and talks from professionals in the health and wellbeing fields.
STRIVE
STRIVE operates over a 2 semester time-frame engaging Yr.7 & Yr.8 students each Wednesday. Every session will involve physical activity, goal settings, hearing from professionals or guests who can support their current challenges and provide positive guidance into their future. This will vary from health and wellness professionals, Victoria Police members, community groups, sports people, everyday people who have worked through challenges in their lives.
OUR OBJECTIVE
Is to facilitate behavioural changes and empower youth to launch into successful adulthood and reach their potential
Target outcomes
- Reduce offending and anti-social behavior
- Reduce self-harm and possible suicide ideology
- Promote positive interaction with local businesses and government agencies
- Reduce the chances of young people becoming a victim
- Break down barriers between police and young people, and reduce family violence matters
- To empower positive community connections through a ‘Community web of protection’
Our Commitment to Child Safety
Geelong Youth Engagement is committed to providing a safe and friendly service for all children and young people; including those who are of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, from culturally and/or linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, and those living with a disability.
GYE will endeavour to actively listen and respond to the voices of children and young people, we have a zero tolerance of any abuse or mistreatment of children and young people and have in place the necessary policies, procedures, and practices to support the safety of children and young people under our care.
