By KATHRYN BERMINGHAM
ECHO Youth and Family Services will receive $150,000 as part of the Napthine Government’s $12 million ‘Engage!’ program.
The Emerald Youth and Family Centre will build on impact mentoring delivered in the current Engage program by providing young people with experiences such as community mentoring, skills training, civic projects, peer leadership and school engagement.
State Member for Gembrook Brad Battin welcomed the funding, saying that the Engage program would help more young people in the Gembrook electorate live active, healthy and fulfilling lives.
“These programs build on the Napthine Government’s commitment to give young people in the Gembrook electorate more opportunities to get involved in their local community and to develop skills that will help them in education and along employment pathways.”
The money will be put towards helping people aged 12-25 to develop skills, build confidence and make new connections for life after school.
ECHO, or Emerald Centre for Hope and Outreach, is a Christian based, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to helping young people who are struggling personally or whose families are faced with social, financial or other major difficulties.
Minister for Youth Affairs Ryan Smith said this investment formed part of a wider commitment to youth services by the Napthine Government.
“Through the Engage program, more than 100 Victorian organisations are assisting young people to make the most of volunteering and mentoring opportunities, helping them to develop wide-ranging skills for education, training and employment,” Mr Smith said.
