Youth in Parramatta, Penrith and Cooma have received almost $50,000 to deliver new events and positively impact their communities in 2020 with the help of the YMCA NSW (the Y).
The Y has been successful in securing a $49,907 NSW Government Youth Opportunities grant for the ‘Forward Thinking – Social Impact Project’.
The project will allow the Y young leader groups in all three communities to continue their development as active change agents tackling mental health concerns, environmental issues and inclusion for LGBTQI+ communities in their towns.
Executive Leader Youth and Community at the Y, Louisa McKay, said the funding will allow young leaders to design and deliver events that resonate with their own interests and concerns.
“At the Y we know no two communities are the same, so we want to hand young people the reins and give them the opportunity to develop relevant and successful events for their local areas,” Ms McKay said.
“Parramatta’s youth committee includes a high number of young people that identify as LGBTQI+ and they have proposed an inclusion event.
“Young people in Cooma and Penrith have expressed a desire to create social impact in the areas of mental health and environmental issues and will work with their respective communities to create events that bring young people together and provide enhanced opportunity to influence community members and decision makers.”
The Y will partner with Snowy Monaro Regional Council and the City of Parramatta Council to deliver the initiative, which will include event-management training for young people.
Planning and training for the events will commence early next year.
If you are aged between 12 and 25 and would like to be involved, get in touch with Y team at youth@ymcanw.org.au or call us on 9687 6233.
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