Advice and guidance for troubled youth

Kids who’ve experienced abuse and neglect can become angry and misguided teenagers, and if these problems aren’t addressed early, their destructive behaviour can land them into trouble with the law.

ACT for Kids’ Youth Opportunity Program gives kids who have had early brushes with the law another chance to create a better future for themselves. Our youth workers invest time and energy into these kids to help them move on from the past and look towards the future instead.

The changes we see in young people participating in this program reinforce our belief that it’s never too late for kids to change their lives, as long as they have the right encouragement, advice and opportunities.

How we help

We help young offenders in two different ways. The first is a Community Response Service. ACT for Kids employs a team of Youth Mentors to reach out to kids who have committed offences. The youth workers’ job is to connect with young people on their level, and get to the root of their issues.  They help kids overcome family or personal problems, move into independent living when it’s in their best interest, and improve their sense of self-worth by arranging recreational and work opportunities they may never have had otherwise.

The second part of the program is a Bail Support Service for kids and young people who have been released on bail before trial. A dedicated bail support worker plays an important role in finding emergency accommodation and giving basic assistance for young offenders, so they’re better able to comply with bail conditions. Otherwise, without a place to go and proper supervision, kids can be ordered to remain in detention until their court date.

The Youth Opportunity Program is accessible to kids and young people aged 10 to 18 who are known to the justice department. It covers the greater Cairns area, Yarrabah, Mossman, Weipa, and Old Mapoon.