Young people across eight Project Booyah programs state-wide have graduated from the award-winning Queensland Police Service led youth mentorship program.
Between 19 and 28 November, 63 young people including 42 young men and 21 young women will attend graduation ceremonies in Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Logan, Ipswich, South Brisbane, Gold Coast and Toowoomba.
Project Booyah is a 16-week program providing mentorship, leadership, education, adventure-based learning and vocational pathways to young people at risk of offending or disengaging from education.
Participants are involved in a variety of courses and activities, from barista qualifications to abseiling, team camps to apprenticeships and training.
Each activity is aimed at building confidence, self-esteem, emotional regulation and drive to achieve their dreams while also providing pathways to study, training and employment.
The 63 young people will now transition to the 'Framing the Future' program which provides mentorship and support for the next 18-months as they transition to further education or employment.
More than 900 young people have graduated from Project Booyah programs since 2016.
Since 2022, approximately 2-in-3 participants continue further education or training, while 30 per cent obtain employment through the program.
Project Booyah Chief Inspector Michael Volk said each semester of the program proves time and time again the power of early intervention.
"Each of these graduates should be immensely proud of all they've achieved the past 16-weeks," Chief Inspector Volk said.
"I applaud all of the program co-ordinators, youth workers and community members who play a part in guiding, supporting and educating these young men and women.
"They're now on to further education, traineeships and employment with a new mindset, great friends and the whole Booyah team behind them."
Learn more about Project Booyah on its website.
