One of the Australia's most recognised youth workers is hoping he can help to reduce unemployment and rising gang violence in western Sydney.
Order of Australia Medal recipient Les Twentyman today announced a new partnership between his Melbourne based foundation 20th Man Fund and training organisation Astute Training in Penrith.
"We're very excited to be in western Sydney," he said.
"Sport and education is our prime focus.
"We want to keep kids in classes and out of courtrooms."
The youth foundation has teamed up with training service provider Astute Training, youth public housing provider Evolve Housing and sporting clubs the Greater Western Sydney Giants, Penrith Panthers and Western Sydney Wanderers.
At the launch today, Twentyman addressed a group of western Sydney youth workers, training agencies, housing providers, politicians and sporting clubs.
"There are kids out there who are treading water and waiting to drown," he said.
"We need to throw a lifejacket to them which is the youth workers to save these kids.
"Youth workers are brokers, they broker young people who are disconnected and try to connect them up with services."
Mr Twentyman said many young people from low socio-economic pockets in western Sydney lacked positive role models in their lives.
"Youth workers can step into that void," he said.
"Sometimes if they [young people] don't have role models, the only role models are their drug dealers.
"That is going to be one of our big focal points, which is connecting with these kids and trying to work them back into mainstream education or training."
Based in Melbourne, the youth organisation has built a reputation for actively tackling gang culture and steering potential youth away from crime and into school or work.
It provides a number of services and programs, including counselling, education, sport and support services to at-risk youth in Melbourne's outer suburbs.
"One of the big issues facing Australia at the moment is disengaged young people," said Twentyman.
"That's why we're seeing unprecedented problems with street gangs, youth gangs, bikie gangs and also methamphetamines.
"We believe by giving to young people at an early stage, we have the opportunity if we have the resources, to shortcut them out of that life and hopefully into training then into a job."
Former Australian Matildas football player Danielle Brogan who was in attendance said it was important to provide the right support.
"Support is something and it's hard to come by," said the Sydney FC player.
"Give them a few targets in life and help them out with something they might be struggling with.
"We're happy to get out there and help these kids and hopefully show them some things they've never been taught before."
Source: ABC by Allan Clarke and Mohamed Taha. Original article.
