Youth outreach program is ready to ROCK

A new program which aims to connect with young people will provide activities such as exercise classes, sports, games and mentoring.

Sun City Christian Centre’s Reaching Our Community Kids (ROCK) outreach program started with a free fitness class run by a qualified Zumba instructor.

Other free activities, including basketball and volleyball matches, one-on-one mentoring and “hanging out”, will be run for youth aged 12 to 18 after school from Wednesday to Friday and for two hours on Saturday mornings.

The program, which is partly funded by a Proceeds of Crime grant from the Attorney-General’s Department, will be run by four youth workers and 25 volunteers from the church.

There will also be a series of free skills workshops with businesses and service providers to introduce youth to different careers in the culinary, health and fitness industries, public service and a variety of trades.

Co-ordinator of Sun City Care, the arm of the church responsible for ROCK, Bonnie Stafford, said the aim of the project was to provide positive support for young people to help them develop relationships, confidence and skills to make good decisions for their future.

“A lot of kids are lonely and bored and just want someone to hang out with, ” Ms Stafford said. Co-ordinator Fredrick Pritchard has permission to visit several local schools to “hang out” with students and said the ROCK program was another way for youth workers to provide fun and alcohol-free activities in a safe environment while building friendships and providing positive role models.

“It’s a safe place to hang out with their peers and to make new friends, ” he said.

“It’s great to make a difference in a young person’s life.”

Some activities will be run at the “Chill Zone” at Sun City Christian Centre’s new venue on Assen Street, Karloo.

More information is available on the church’s Facebook page or by calling Mr Pritchard on 0417 555 664.