Young people on the Coffs Coast are benefiting from a funding boost under the NSW Government’s Youth Opportunities program.
Member for Coffs Harbour Gurmesh Singh said the Youth Opportunities $50,000 grant for The Embrace Collective will help connect young people to their community.
The Embrace Collective is led by Boambee resident Dr Zali Yager and 2023 Australian of the Year Taryn Brumfitt.
“The Youth Opportunities program has firm criteria, offering money to local organisations that support young people’s engagement,” Mr Singh said.
“The Embrace Collective will work with young people in the community to implement the Embrace Kids NSW Youth Activation Project, which will empower Youth Champions to implement social change initiatives to help prevent and address body image concerns.
“Collectively these Youth Champions will reach 50,000 young people across NSW with change projects that enhance the physical health, mental health and wellbeing of participants.
“I am eager to see our young people not only get involved in the development of the project but also participate in the project once it is complete.”
Minister for Families and Communities and Minister for Disability Services Natasha Maclaren-Jones said the projects are the perfect way to see youth get involved in their local communities.
“The projects are a great way to engage constructively with a demographic that is traditionally very hard to reach,” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said.
“Young people need to be involved in all aspects of the project, from conception and planning through to design and delivery.
“I look forward to seeing the positive impact the projects have on youth across the state.”
Youth Opportunities offers grants of between $10,000 and $50,000 to local government and non-government organisations for youth-driven projects.
