Police Citizens Youth Clubs (PCYC) members have more than half a million reasons to smile.
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In the Southern Highlands those smiles are firmly focused on support programs for disengaged and disadvantaged young people.
The NSW organisation has recently been awarded $575,204 from the St.George Foundation Inspire Grant. This grant will provide more than 400 students with alternative pathways or new opportunities in their education.
Chief Inspector Darren Newman explained how the grant came about.
"We were a finalist for St.George Foundation's Inspire Grant in 2018," Inspector Newman said.
"We have worked with the St.George Foundation for over the past 18 months to develop an educational support program that meets mutual objectives. We had the opportunity to apply for the Inspire Grant again this year and were thrilled to receive the grant."
These programs will help youths at a disadvantage. New learning programs will aim to get and keep kids learning for their futures.
"PCYC's Fit to Learn program is designed to help connect disengaged young people back into education," Inspector Newman said.
"The program gives young people the opportunity to explore their strengths, participate in experiential learning activities and develop emotional intelligence skills preparing them for school re-engagement."
The Southern Highlands will be included in these new programs.
"Our Fit to Learn program will roll out across a number of NSW clubs, including Mittagong," Inspector Newman said.
"The Fit to Learn program will help students in the Southern Highlands region develop skills and values of resilience, commitment and respect, as well as open up alternative pathways or new opportunities in their education."
For youths at a critical learning age, these programs can steer a wanderer back on track and give them an inspired future.
"PCYC is a significant community asset with a range of activities for the whole community," Inspector Newman said.
"For young people, the clubs offer fun, fitness and friendship where they can participate in a range of sports, recreational, arts/cultural, education and leadership activities in a safe and supervised environment.
"With Police Officers stationed at each of the clubs, it provides young people with an opportunity to interact with officers in a friendly environment.
"These Police are mentors who deliver capacity building and social responsibility programs to change life outcomes of many young people."
The Fit to Learn program is currently running at the Highlands PCYC. For anyone interested
"The next program will commence in early 2020 at selected schools," Inspector Newman said.
"School Liaison Officers facilitate links between local schools and PCYC's. Meetings are held to discuss need and schools nominate students who they think would benefit from program which is delivered at the local PCYC over a term."
