Boost to support African young people across South East Queensland

• The Miles Labor Government is expanding resources for diverse communities with additional $2.6 million
• Growing safe spaces for African young people at three southeast Queensland facilities
• Enabling more mentors and support initiatives in schools and detention centres

The Miles Labor Government will provide $2.6 million in additional funding to support community building and mentoring programs for young Queenslanders from African backgrounds.

The investment will allow the African Youth Support Council to boost its early-intervention services across southeast Queensland to operate seven days a week.

Located at Moorooka, Geebung and Redbank Plains, The African Village centres will support young people who are engaged with the criminal justice system to access services in culturally safe spaces.

The African Youth Support Council is part of the Queensland African Communities Council. The organisation runs The African Village drop-in centres for at-risk young people, promoting inclusion and rehabilitation.

A mentoring program in schools and detention centres will also be expanded.

The $2.6 million over two years is aimed at ensuring community connections for young Queenslanders of African backgrounds, who are currently over-represented in the state’s criminal justice system.

The Miles Labor Government is prioritising community safety, including culturally safe support and resources for diverse communities across Queensland.

Quotes attributable to the Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick:

“We are proud of the success of our 80,000-strong population of African Queenslanders who help to make our state diverse, strong and safe.

“The African Village centres provide culturally appropriate and safe spaces for at-risk young people to stay engaged with their communities and break the cycle of offending.

“Importantly, we’re funding mentors to go into schools and detention centres and meet up with young people, providing critical role models and guidance.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Child Safety, Minister for Seniors and Disability Services, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and State Member for Jordan Charis Mullen:

“The African Youth Support Council does a terrific job running The African Village drop-in centres for at-risk young people.

“This funding will allow them to do even more to help at-risk young people in our community.

“This is part of our government’s focus on early intervention and keeping Queensland communities safe, including our African community.

“These village centres have become such an essential space for young people to gather, get support and to socialise.”

Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef, Minister for Science and Innovation Leanne, and State Member for Nudgee Leanne Linard:

“As the-then Minister for Multicultural Affairs and local member, I was proud to officially open The African Youth Support Council’s drop-in centre in Geebung.

“I know how important this centre and the services it provides is to our local community, especially to the at-risk young people who receive critical support and mentoring.

“I am delighted that this funding boost will enable the council to offer its services seven days a week and support even more young people from African backgrounds who are engaged with the criminal justice system.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Minister for Digital Services and State Member for Aspley Bart Mellish:

“The Miles Labor Government is delivering more pathways to enable lasting change for our important African Queenslanders by fostering community driven initiatives.

“Our government is passionate about building stronger, safer communities.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Employment and Small Business, Minister for Training and Skills Development and State Member for Bundamba Lance McCallum:

“Queensland’s African community leaders do a fantastic job advocating for accountability, unity, and harmony.

“The Miles Government has listened to them and heard they need more support as they provide mentoring programs and safe spaces for young African Queenslanders.

“I am proud to be part of a Labor government that is investing $2.6 million to deliver better outcomes and community safety for our local community.”

Quotes attributable to State Member for Toohey Peter Russo:

“This funding for The African Village centre Moorooka will make a huge difference for those young African Queenslanders in our community.

“Only a Miles Labor Government is tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime.”

Quotes attributable to Queensland African Communities Council president Beny Bol:

“This funding will make a real difference for so many at risk kids, and those that are already in the justice system and requires considerable rehabilitation support back into the community.

“The African Village centres are about embedding the mainstream system in the local community systems of a collectivist culture that collectively respond in specific and holistic manner to families and young people’s complex needs so they cannot fall through the cracks and ending up in the youth justice system, becoming disengaged from the community and developing a distrust for police and community service providers.

“These centres are a place where young people and their families can feel at home, belonged, valued, understood without feeling judged, access specialist services from trusted agencies, build positive relationships, connect to culture, and with this funding we can offer more responsive, targeted support and extend our services into schools, and juvenile detention centres and courtrooms.”

Media contact: Campbell Gellie 0433 987 744