‘Midwest Respect - Love Bites’ project funded

Geraldton MLA Ian Blayney has congratulated the Geraldton Regional Community Education Centre Association Inc. for securing funding to run the ‘Midwest Respect - Love Bites’ project.

Mr Blayney welcomed the $5,000 funding, secured under the State Government’s Youth Activities Grants program, saying it was important to develop projects which encourage young people to get involved in challenging activities.

“The funding will allow twenty five people who work with young people in the Midwest to be trained to enter schools and youth spaces to deliver the one-day ‘Love Bites’ program,” he said.

The program explores relationship violence in its many forms and aims to address identified issues of family and community violence in the Midwest, build provider capacity and promote strong collaboration across service providers to strengthen and support young women.

Funding of up to $5000 is offered for community organisations to develop projects that encourage young people to get involved in innovative and challenging community projects and activities.

Projects must benefit young people between 12-25 years. Each project should address one or more of the following priorities:

Improving mental and emotional well-being;

Increasing drug and alcohol awareness;

Changing community perceptions about young people. 

Art made from recycled bicycle parts, a music workshop where participants learn circular breathing techniques and drumming rhythms, and a drug and alcohol free mini youth festival bringing together youth from several towns to celebrate the end of the school year are just some of the innovative projects also funded under the State Government’s Youth Activities Grants program.

A total of $48,250 has been awarded to 10 organisations for projects as diverse as the ‘love bites’ program.