Qantas Helps Street Patrol for Vulnerable Youth to Stay on Track
Mission Australia’s Youth Beat service has been given a $50,000 boost from Qantas, helping secure this vital program in Tasmania.
In operation since 2007, Youth Beat services the Derwent Valley and several suburbs in Hobart’s north-east and plays a crucial role reaching out to vulnerable young people, checking on their well-being and providing help where needed.
Each year, Youth Beat has contact with more than 1000 young people – most between the ages of eight and 17 years.
Youth Beat’s team of mobile youth workers provide information, friendly advice and positive adult role models to young people, many of whom come from families with a range of challenges.
Mission Australia’s Tasmanian State Director Noel Mundy said: “Youth Beat is funded entirely by donations – it receives no government support. So to receive this donation from Qantas is truly appreciated.
“There’s no doubt the need is there, not just in and around Hobart but across the State. Thanks to Qantas we have a foundation for maintaining and hopefully expanding Youth Beat’s footprint,” added Mr Mundy.
The $50,000 donation in Tasmania is part of a $100,000 national contribution Qantas is making to Mission Australia, following a successful online fundraising promotion as part of its You’re the Reason We Fly advertising campaign.
Qantas General Manager Tasmania Stephen Farquer said Qantas is proud to support Mission Australia.
“Qantas prides itself on being part of the communities we operate in and supporting Mission Australia’s work with young people is one of the ways we are doing that in Tasmania,” he said.
The Qantas Group – including Jetstar – operates more than 230 return services per week to destinations across Tasmania and provides employment to more than 30,000 people.
Matt Durose, Mission Australia’s Operations Manager responsible for Youth Beat, said:
“Young people in the areas we visit consistently tell us that there is nothing much to do and this can lead to behaviour that puts themselves and others at risk.
“Our van operates Wednesday to Saturday, in the afternoon and early evening. We approach groups of young people where they hang out and start a conversation – find out how they are, if they’ve got homes to go to and if they need any help.
“If we encounter kids who are in trouble and who look like they’re vulnerable, we’ll do what we can. Youth Beat’s larger aim however is to encourage community engagement – connecting young people to the positive influences, support and activities around them.”