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Program supports youth social well-being in Maningrida

21 September 2020

The Youth Diversion Program run by the Community Wellness Service at Mala’la in Maningrida has made some changes this year. 
In an aim to increase preventative measures, all young people at risk are eligible to be part of the program, not just young people who have been in trouble with the police.
One of the new goals of the Youth Diversion program is to support young people to increase their social and emotional well-being, which can help them to make good choices and potentially prevent them from getting involved in the criminal justice system. 
The Youth Diversion Program does this by delivering case management and running activities for young people, including fishing and bush trips, camping, Tuesday night tucker at the Youth Centre, dancing, boy’s and girl’s groups and supporting engagement in other agencies activities. 
This includes women’s football run by AFL NT and school holiday programs delivered by RSAS and Youth, Sport and Recreation.
Recently, some participants of our girl’s group learnt some photography skills with Maddy. 
Photography has been an interest for some young women in Maningrida and thanks to West Arnhem Regional Council’s (WARC) Youth, Sport and Recreation, we were able to use their camera equipment to allow the young women to learn and practice some new photography skills. 
All of the photos featured were taken by the young women that participated and they are also modelling in the photos. 
Not only do they enjoy coming up with creative ideas – including the location, lighting, model positioning and photo props, but they also love seeing quality photo results which increases their self-esteem and provides them with an alternative way to express their sense of self and emotions.

 

Some of the young women’s photos were recently entered in the WARC Photography Competition and Francine Stewart and Sethalia Olsen both were selected winners in the People category. 
They were both extremely excited to be recognised for their efforts and to be receiving a prize.