SAFE Aboriginal Youth Program

Gundaymarra Yiramarang "Protect the youth."
Safe Aboriginal Youth Program

Program’s Main Goal

The program’s core goal is to engage young Aboriginal people, encourage participation in structured activities, divert them from harmful activities, and reduce the likelihood of criminal involvement.

 The program focuses on Aboriginal young people aged 12-18 years (with a particular focus on 10-17 years) who are unsupervised in public places after hours. The program encourages these youth to accept safe escorts home or to a safe place and to participate in structured activities, while also providing referrals to local support services. For more details, please contact Tara Blackhall at (02) 5858 4029, (02) 5836 6877, or send us an email at coordinator@oystertribe.org.au

The world is an Oyster lets find your pearl

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a government-funded scheme that provides support for Australians with disability.

Program Models and Activities:

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a government-funded scheme that provides support for Australians with disability.

Safe Activity (SA) Model:

This model provides safe transport and outreach services for youth on the streets late at night, especially in areas where young people are likely to gather. It includes offering transport to homes or safe locations, providing immediate health and/or wellbeing assistance, and referring youth to support services. It aims to reduce the risk of youth becoming victims of crime or persons of interest by providing alternatives to being unsupervised in public spaces.

Safe Outreach Patrol (SOP) Model:

This model offers a safe and comfortable community-based space for young people after hours in Dubbo, at least three nights a week. It provides supervised recreational and structured activities (e.g., Oztag, basketball, or a youth drop-in center) with access to food. The aim is to engage youth and encourage participation, thereby reducing their unsupervised presence on the streets at night.

Major Sponsors

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Objectives and Outcomes:

The program is designed to align with and achieve “Close the Gap” priorities, specifically Target 11, which aims to reduce the overrepresentation of young people in the criminal justice system. By 2031, the goal is to reduce the rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people (10-17 years) in detention by 30 percent. This is achieved through:The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a government-funded scheme that provides support for Australians with disability.

Diverting young people from court and creating positive pathways within communities.

Programs that prevent and respond to youth offending.

Diverting young people from custody and supporting their needs.

Supporting young people exiting custody to thrive and reduce reoffending. Long-term, the program seeks to reduce the risk of young people becoming victims of crime or persons of interest, and to increase community safety in Dubbo.

Gundaymarra Yiramarang "Protect the youth" SAFE Aboriginal Youth Program

Frequently Ask Questions

Here are some common questions about the Safe Aboriginal Youth (SAY) Program to help you understand our mission and how we support young people.

What is the Safe Aboriginal Youth (SAY) Program?

The SAY Program is an initiative by the NSW Government’s Department of Communities and Justice, delivered by Oyster Tribe Aboriginal Corporation. Its main goal is to support young Aboriginal people by engaging them in positive activities, ensuring their safety, and preventing their involvement in harmful or criminal activities.

Who is the SAY Program for?

The program is specifically designed for Aboriginal young people aged 12-18 years, with a particular focus on those aged 10-17, who may be unsupervised in public places during evening hours.

How does the SAY Program work to support young people?

The SAY Program operates through two key models:

Safe Outreach Patrol (SOP): Our teams provide safe transport home or to a safe place for youth found unsupervised, along with immediate welfare checks and referrals to support services.
Safe Activity (SA): We offer supervised, engaging activities (like sports or drop-in centers) in a safe community space in Dubbo at least three nights a week, providing a positive alternative to being on the streets.

What are the main goals and outcomes of the SAY Program?

The program aims to significantly reduce the risk of young Aboriginal people becoming victims of crime or involved in the criminal justice system. A key objective is to contribute to the “Close the Gap” initiative, specifically Target 11, which seeks to reduce the rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people in detention by 30% by 2031.

How does the SAY Program contribute to community safety?

By engaging young people in structured, positive activities, providing safe alternatives to being unsupervised, and fostering strong relationships with local services like the police, the SAY Program helps to divert youth from crime, reduce reoffending, and ultimately increase overall community safety in Dubbo.

Contact Us Oystertribe

Connect with the team behind this Program

Complete the Contact Form by providing your information and we will get back to you as soon as possible

Talk To Us

(02) 5858 4029

Email & FAQS

coordinator@oystertribe.org.au

Head Office

5 Fleet St, North Parramatta NSW 2151

Regional Office

99 Wingewarra St, Dubbo NSW 2830

Our Partnership Stories

SAY Program

Bridging the Gap Together: Oyster Hub, Oyster Care, and Oyster Tribe – [Duplicated]

A didgeridoo’s soulful melody drifts through the air, a testament to the rich culture thriving in an Aboriginal community nestled in regional NSW. But beneath ...

Email

connect@oystertribe.org.au

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