Community Grant helps PCYC Emerald to support young people at-risk

Pcyc Emerald Community Grant Large

More at-risk youth in Emerald will gain skills for the future and contribute to the community, with the local PCYC being awarded a $10,000 Grassroots Community Grant from Hand Heart Pocket the Charity of Freemasons Queensland.

The centre will put the funds towards new equipment and the fit-out of a new space on club grounds, which will become a mentoring hub for young people on community service orders.

PCYC Emerald Branch Manager Sgt Julia Henderson said under the enhanced program, they will be able to mentor more at-risk youth who are undertaking community service and give them new skills to have hope for their futures.

“The young people in the program will gain a range of life skills like painting, gardening, resume writing, interview skills, and PCYC online training, so having this dedicated space will make an immense difference,” Julia said.

Alexandra Freemasons Lodge representative Andrew Farquhar said they nominated PCYC Emerald for the grant.

“Supporting local young people at pivotal times in their lives is always extremely important,” Andrew said.

“PCYC Emerald plays a role in providing practical outcomes for our young people who need support to develop skills that will ultimately improve their lives.”

Hand Heart Pocket Chief Executive Officer Gary Mark said they were pleased to be able to provide this support to PCYC Emerald to help empower and nurture at-risk youth.

“Fifteen charities shared in almost $120,000 as part this year’s Community Grants round. We also received a greater number of applications with a large geographical spread, particularly in regional Queensland,” Gary said.

“Although the grant round was oversubscribed, we wanted to make sure we maximised our support at a time the community needed it the most.

“Among the causes we’ve been able to support are youth at risk, our ageing population, men’s mental and physical health, and women’s financial and physical security.”

The grant was announced amid the Freemason charity providing close to $700,000 in emergency support and Grassroots Community Grants in the wake of COVID-19.

Photo: Emerald Freemasons Bill Crosse and Pierre Oelofse with Sgt Julia Henderson (centre).

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