DROP IN LOUNGE A HAVEN FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

Youth in Gladstone have a cool new place to hang-out at the PCYC since the opening of the Youth Space drop-in lounge earlier this month.

Branch manager of PCYC, Sergeant Dominic Richardson, said the PCYC was the beneficiary of funds raised from the Gladstone Ports Corporations Botanic to Bridge event. “The funds have allowed us to expand the area to make it bigger and better than we expected,” Sgt Richardson said. “We are really trying to create an area for school-aged youth to have positive peer to peer interaction. It is about having somewhere in the community where the youth are safe and comfortable to hang out. Bec, our youth development officer is available, and I am also here in a mentoring capacity,” Mr Richardson added. There are plans to extend the Youth Centre to include a quiet room for chilling out or quiet activities.