Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation Beneficiary - March 2007 Taree PCYC

PCYC on the Move

The Taree Police & Community Youth Club (PCYC) has been in operation since 1988, offering a range of activities, programs and services to the local community of Greater Taree. One of the organisation’s target groups are socially and financially disadvantaged families, with a specific focus on Young People, although services and activities conducted are of benefit to the entire community.

Funds were approved to fit out a mobile unit that provides a range of services similar to a static PCYC Club. This mobile unit will be used in identified hotspots throughout the Lower North Coast community, and to engage young people who do not have access to transport to the Taree based Club. The aim of the mobile unit is to reduce the incidence of youth crime & antisocial behaviour in these targeted areas and to generally improve the access to healthy positive activities and services for young people in the area.

Due to the lack of public transport, geographical isolation, and economic disadvantage, many outlying areas of the local community are subject to regular antisocial behaviour and crime, perpetrated by young people. The project will be a co-ordinated approach to provide regular entertainment opportunities in identified hotspots, engaging young people to participate in structured and positive activities. Through the participation of staff, volunteers and PCYC police officers, the project aims to encourage young people to be involved in positive and constructive activities, whether through the PCYC or other local community organisations.