COLEDALE’S youth centre has seen a boom in numbers in 2018 with a renewed focus on art and song credited as the impetus.
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In the first three months of 2018, more than 2000 kids walked through the doors of The Youthie, which some councillors said represented an increase of more than 66 per cent on its usual quarterly attendance.
Youthie Team Leader Veronica Filby said it was about running programs which linked with the kids’ interests, as well as an opportunity to increase their skills.
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“We've certainly noticed it,” Mr Filby said.
“We’ve seen a lot more kids here than we have before.”
She said programs run by youth worker and professional artist Jodie Herden had been well-received and attended and proven to be a “great way for youth workers to connect with the kids”.
“We also had Buddy Knox running workshops around singing and playing guitar and he has a great rapport with the kids,” Ms Filby said.
The team leader is expecting the numbers remain steady in the second quarter of the year, coming off the back off Youth Week and the school holidays in April.
We've had some tremendous people working there and they really put heart and soul into it.
- Councillor Juanita Wilson
“During the holidays we extended the hours and included more night time activities for the kids,” she said.
“Council helped create a footy field next door to The Youthie to help the kids get out and be more active and had a few touch footy nights.”
Councillor Juanita Wilson said it was not often shouted from the rooftops, but The Youthie was a really valuable, and perhaps underrated, part of the community.
“With young people, there’s often a critical point in their life where there’s someone to help them through it and they move on well,” she said.
“The Youthie makes that possible.
“People who are successful can often go to a point in their lives that was a turning point.”
Cr Wilson also lauded the youth centre’s employees for the work they’ve done.
“ We've had some tremendous people working there and they really put heart and soul into it,” she said.
“That’s certainly not gone unappreciated.”
She said the facility gave kids “potential” in a safe space and helped them make connections.
“It gives kids a chance to express themselves, which out is borne-out in the mosaics and artworks,” she said.
“It also gives kids mentors.”