Seventeen-year-old Kaitlin Neuling-Lawlor, a Tamworth High School student, has been an active participant in the PCYC Blue Star program.

The aim of the program is to improve a young person’s chances of employment, allow them to gain skills to be a good citizen and to meet young people and form great friendships across the state by attending challenging, but fun, holiday camps.

“I go to the PCYC every day. It’s a place specifically for youth, where we can connect with each other and with other members of the community,” Kaitlin said.

“Every club is different, but at the Tamworth PCYC they arrange activities and police officers offer welfare programs for kids on the street.

“It’s somewhere we can meet in a friendly, welcoming environment. It’s somewhere we can feel safe.”

Kaitlin is already gaining the benefits of the Blue Star program, and has enjoyed attending leadership camps, meeting new people and learning their stories.

“Being a part of the PCYC Blue Star program has offered me life-changing opportunities to grow and become a better person,” she said.

Kaitlin enjoys her role as a mentor for other young people, especially the very young kids who attend the PCYC, and doesn’t take the responsibility lightly.

“It’s very humbling to have those young ones look up to me,” Kaitlin said.

For tomorrow’s open day, Kaitlin said she would like to see all members of the family come along.

“There are no age restrictions. Just come down and have a look at some of the activities we do,” she said.

The open day is from 11am until 2pm.

There will be a free sausage sizzle, as well as stacks of fun things to do – for kids of all ages – even the grown-up ones!