Safe space for at-risk youth

DOZENS of at-risk young people are attending a drop-in centre in Frankston for support and connection each week.
Street Peace is a Frankston-based not-for-profit which runs outreach programs for young people in the Frankston, Mornington Peninsula, and Gippsland regions. It runs a drop-in centre called The Nest where visitors share meals and play games.

Street Peace has conducted a survey of 42 visitors to The Nest – it found that 70 per cent of respondents remain hopeful for the future, 40 per cent had enjoyed improvements in their relationships with friends and family, and 16 per cent had become more engaged with their education since attending the centre.

Street Peace founder Jay Shelling said that supporting people at a young age is key to securing their long-term health, security, and safety. “Healthy teenagers produce healthy adults. This is a delicate age where communities impact thriving future generations most,” he said.

“The results of The Nest youth survey highlight the deep, positive impact that Street Peace has on the lives of at-risk youth. Our goal has always been to create a supportive, family-like environment where these young individuals can find hope, love, and the strength to make positive changes in their lives. Seeing the tangible improvements in their well-being, relationships, and outlook on life is incredibly rewarding and drives us to continue our mission with even greater passion.” So far this year 200 new young people have visited The Nest, and around 60 attend regularly.

Youth crime has been in the spotlight throughout this year across the media. After the release of 2023’s Victorian crime statistics, which showed that crime had dramatically increased in Frankston, Victoria Police deputy commissioner of regional operations Neil Paterson highlighted the efforts police were taking to reduce youth crime.

“Child offending remains a real challenge for police and significant driver of serious and violent crime in Victoria. Victoria Police continue to hold these people accountable, with youth gang members targeted as part of Operation Alliance and young burglars and car thieves continually arrested and put before the courts under Operation Trinity,” Paterson said (“Frankston crime rate through the roof” The Times 2/4/24).

Street Peace is run by Frankston Life Community, a not-for-profit linked to the Frankston Life church.
To contact Street Peace visit streetpeace.com.au

First published in the Frankston Times – 18th June 2024