Young people can make change through Changemakers

Young people from the City of Greater Geraldton are being encouraged to sign up to the Changemakers program and help make positive choices and create changes in their community with funding available from the City.

Available to all youth aged 12 to 18 years, Changemakers provides youth the opportunity to access funding and guidance to develop projects and improve personal skills.

City of Greater Geraldton Director Creative Communities, Andrea Selvey, said Changemakers is a wonderful program aimed at encouraging young people to become more confident and active community members.

“A young person or a team of young people can create a community project with support from a youth worker and apply for seed funding up to $2000 through the Changemakers program,” said Ms Selvey.

This year Sam Walton and Viktor Harrison were received grant funding to develop a youth-based project.

Future Leaders participant, Sam Walton, said Future Leaders is a program run through the Mid West Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Geraldton Regional Community Education Centre to mentor young people in Geraldton on how to become better leaders within their community.

“As part of this program we had to create a community event and my main focus was to provide something safe, friendly and fun for our youth,” she said.

“With the help of friends I was able to organise an Under 18’s Big Night Out with in-kind support and great deals thanks to our local businesses, but the event was unfortunately cancelled last minute due to the youth bands pulling out.

“I was fully aware of what could happen and it was just a chance I had to take, although it didn’t go ahead it was a fantastic learning process,” said Samantha.

“If it weren’t for all the help and support from friends, work colleagues and local businesses, I wouldn’t have been able to achieve much at all.”

Viktor Harrison, who was mentored by PCYC, successfully applied for Changemakers funding to produce performances for under 12 year olds to show case their circus skills to parents and friends.

Viktor said working alongside PCYC Circus instructor, Simone Mahoney, he was able to help youth aged 4 to 12 years develop skills in both floor and aerial performances. 

“Seeing youth develop their confidence as they master their floor rolls, balancing on the beams and progressing on aerial work on the rings and silks is so rewarding,” said Viktor.

“Engaging with youth on their routines and hosting two family concerts at PCYC has advanced my skills in event management and I look forward to working on similar projects in the future,” he said.

Changemakers funding for 2014/2015 is $2,000. Applications will be assessed in order of lodgement until the pools of funds are exhausted.

Youth are encouraged to develop their ideas by obtaining lists of costs, people and resources needed to make their project happen.

Applicants are advised to be creative in their applications which involve a presentation to a panel similar to a job interview.

Applications are available on the City of Greater Geraldton website www.cgg.wa.gov.au.