Yarruwala Youth & Family Services in Dubbo will receive $50,000 under the Indigenous Advancement Strategy to help disadvantaged Indigenous youth get to and from work.

Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton has congratulated the recipients, and said the funding will help purchase a 12-seater minibus and a twin cab utility to service participants of the organisation’s Stayin Kinnected program.

“Yarruwala Youth & Family Services is an Aboriginal owned and controlled not-for-profit organisation,” Mr Coulton said.

“Projects like Stayin Kinnected provide tangible methods of assisting disadvantaged Indigenous youth to stay connected in the community, including through employment. I congratulate Yarruwala on securing this important funding.”

Minister for Indigenous Affairs Nigel Scullion said he is pleased that local Indigenous organisations can prioritise local projects through the Indigenous Advancement Strategy.

“These types of projects go to the heart of what local communities need. They are developed by the community, for the community,” Minister Scullion said.

“The Indigenous Advancement Strategy has been able to double the number of Indigenous organisations delivering services to Indigenous people since its establishment in 2013.”

Yarruwala Youth & Family Services Project Officer, Heidi Spratt, said the FACS – Western Funded program aims to deliver real training and employment outcomes for Indigenous Australians.

“With over 20 participants in our program, most of whom don’t hold a driver’s licence, receiving a grant for the purchase of a bus and utility gives us the capacity to transport everyone to and from work each day,” Ms Spratt said.

“Lack of transport is a major barrier for anyone seeking work experience or employment, and thanks to this funding, it is one less barrier to overcome.”

The Stayin Kinnected program involves case management, mentoring and partnerships with local stakeholders including JobActive providers, and direct employment of program participants via contracts.

Photo Caption (L-R): Kara Toomey (Stayin Kinnected program), John Hill, Clinton Hill (program participants); Gummy Toomey (Stayin Kinnected); Member for Parkes Mark Coulton; Dylan Carr, Keith Fernando (program participants); Heidi Spratt (Stayin Kinnected).