On the road to a brighter future
PCYC Ipswich and Carinity Fassifern Community Center have partnered to bring Braking the Cycle, a multi-award winning learner driver mentor program to the Boonah community.
The free program uses volunteer mentors and community sponsored vehicles to help disadvantaged young people gain the 100 hours of driving experience required to get their licence. Braking the Cycle has been a huge success over its first four years and continues to grow and scope. Operating in Ipswich and Logan since July 2012, the program now runs from 22 locations including Boonah.
The program although centered on obtaining a drivers licence provides young people with a stable mentor that can work with them 1 on 1 for up to 100 hours.
Young people who engage in the Braking the Cycle program benefit not only from the driving supervision that assists them to reach the required outcome of 100 supervised driving hours, they also are supported through ongoing mentoring and support to overcome social barriers preventing young people from gaining employment.
Braking the Cycle Boonah will operate from the Carinity Fassifern Community Centre 1 day per week from January with the program’s official launch scheduled for Friday, 13 January 2017.
PCYC Ipswich Development Officer Angela Watts said the aim is to get the program up and running with volunteer mentors to assist the young drivers.
“The Braking the Cycle program provides volunteer driving mentors and vehicles to help young people build up their mandatory 100 hours,” Ms Watts said.
“This program helps disadvantaged and disengaged young people aged 16 to 25 to get their driver’s licence which in turn assists them to gain employment”.
“The program’s success depends largely on the community and individuals getting behind this initiative and raising their hand to become a mentor and assist young people in getting their licence,” Ms Watts said.
Carinity Fassifern Coordinator for the Learning Centre, Meryl Tress said that many young people in Boonah cannot complete their mandatory 100 hours of driving experience, as they don’t have anybody to take them out on roads or can’t pay for driving lessons.
To support the launch of the program which is currently unfunded, Carinity Fassifern Community Centre are hosting a Golf Day on Saturday the 14th of January to raise funds for the program.
The four-ball Ambrose competition will be held at Boonah Golf Club with great prizes, play on your own or get a team together. The best-dressed team will take out a prize.
A BBQ lunch will be provided so get on board and support this fantastic initiative helping local youth improve their lives.
To book, please contact the Golf Club on 0754631470.
To find out more about the Golf Day or how to get involved as a Braking the Cycle mentor phone Meryl Tress at Carinity Fassifern Community Centre on (07) 5463 2966.
For more information, please contact: Angela Watts on 0433 769 407 or email angela.watts@pcyc.org.au
