17 Jan 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.
PCYC youth development officer, Bec Frost said the area is targeted for youths aged 12 to 25 but all young people visiting the PCYC are welcome to utilise facilities and activities available. “There are a number of board games, arts and crafts, an arcade game, pool table and there is Netflix on the TV’s!” Ms Frost said.
As part of the youth space area, the PCYC will also continue to host their revamped ‘Thursday Arvie Barbie’ event each week from 3.30pm until 6pm. Young people and their families are invited to head down to the PCYC for a free sausage sizzle with games and music each Thursday night. Sgt Richardson said this was a great opportunity for families to connect as well as for young people to hang out and make new friends.