Published Sunday, 15 July, 2007 at 12:15 PM
Minister for Police and Corrective Services
The Honourable Judy Spence
MINISTER LAUNCHES PCYC WEEK 2007
Police Minister Judy Spence has today launched the Police and Citizens Youth Clubs Week for 2007.
Ms Spence said the week is about people coming together to celebrate and promote the PCYC’s vision of Improving Communities Through Youth Development.
“As the proud Vice-Patron on the Queensland PCYC Movement, and as a mother of two young men, I know how important it is to provide encouragement and inspiration for today’s youth,” Ms Spence said.
“The 45 PCYCs around Queensland provide young people with a safe, drug and alcohol free environment, where they can learn new skills, exercise and socialise.
“It is due to the great work of organisations like the PCYC movement, that those young people who may have been sitting on the edge, are kept from falling through the cracks.”
Ms Spence said membership of PCYCs in Queensland has increase by of over 75%, from 36,000 in 2002, to over 63,500 this financial year.
“The introduction of PCYCs in the Indigenous communities of Yarrabah, Mornington and Palm Island and the launch of the Cape project to service the needs of communities in the far north of the State, have also proved successful,” Ms Spence said.
“The PCYCs are not only helping to provide opportunities and positive outlets for Indigenous children in Queensland – but the organisations are also having a great impact on improving relationships between police and the wider communities in those areas.
“It is through these kinds of community based initiatives that the Queensland Police Service and the PCYC movement are helping to prevent crime by developing positive community partnerships.”
Ms Spence thanked more than 2,160 volunteers who work with police at PCYCs around the state,
“Collectively, these volunteers gave freely of over 232,000 hours of their time last year, to provide this vital service for our community.
“Their commitment to this important cause is to be commended.”
Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson said the Queensland Police Service was committed to its long-standing support of the Police-Citizens Youth Welfare Association.
“We have 58 full-time officers involved in the association, along with eight senior sergeants in supervisory roles, eight Police Liaison Officers, and we provide financial assistance to support the management of the association,” Commissioner Atkinson said.
“PCYC branches are an excellent way for police to communicate with young people in the community.
“This type of interaction is an important tool for communicating key messages in a bid to address the problems faced by young people in today’s world.”
Media Contact: Minister’s Office – Nicola Hazell 0408 732 491
Police Media: 3015 2444
Ms Spence said the week is about people coming together to celebrate and promote the PCYC’s vision of Improving Communities Through Youth Development.
“As the proud Vice-Patron on the Queensland PCYC Movement, and as a mother of two young men, I know how important it is to provide encouragement and inspiration for today’s youth,” Ms Spence said.
“The 45 PCYCs around Queensland provide young people with a safe, drug and alcohol free environment, where they can learn new skills, exercise and socialise.
“It is due to the great work of organisations like the PCYC movement, that those young people who may have been sitting on the edge, are kept from falling through the cracks.”
Ms Spence said membership of PCYCs in Queensland has increase by of over 75%, from 36,000 in 2002, to over 63,500 this financial year.
“The introduction of PCYCs in the Indigenous communities of Yarrabah, Mornington and Palm Island and the launch of the Cape project to service the needs of communities in the far north of the State, have also proved successful,” Ms Spence said.
“The PCYCs are not only helping to provide opportunities and positive outlets for Indigenous children in Queensland – but the organisations are also having a great impact on improving relationships between police and the wider communities in those areas.
“It is through these kinds of community based initiatives that the Queensland Police Service and the PCYC movement are helping to prevent crime by developing positive community partnerships.”
Ms Spence thanked more than 2,160 volunteers who work with police at PCYCs around the state,
“Collectively, these volunteers gave freely of over 232,000 hours of their time last year, to provide this vital service for our community.
“Their commitment to this important cause is to be commended.”
Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson said the Queensland Police Service was committed to its long-standing support of the Police-Citizens Youth Welfare Association.
“We have 58 full-time officers involved in the association, along with eight senior sergeants in supervisory roles, eight Police Liaison Officers, and we provide financial assistance to support the management of the association,” Commissioner Atkinson said.
“PCYC branches are an excellent way for police to communicate with young people in the community.
“This type of interaction is an important tool for communicating key messages in a bid to address the problems faced by young people in today’s world.”
Media Contact: Minister’s Office – Nicola Hazell 0408 732 491
Police Media: 3015 2444