I am a firm believer that every young person deserves to be safe and have the best opportunities and supports to become the best person they strive to be. In light of this, I am advocating for the establishment of more Youth Hubs in regional areas, specifically designed to support young people aged 12 to 25 years old. Our demonstration project, a Youth Hub located in Gosford NSW, has been an undeniable success but is set to close at the end of April 2024 due to lack of funding. We need your help to ensure that this does not happen.

Research shows that these hubs are highly effective in providing necessary support for our youth. They serve as safe spaces where young people can access resources, receive guidance and engage with their community positively. The impact on youth mental health and overall well-being is significant.

However, without adequate funding commitment from local authorities or government bodies, these hubs cannot continue their essential work nor expand into other regional areas where they are desperately needed.

The Central Coast NSW region will greatly benefit from additional satellite hubs as it will provide more accessible support services for our youth population - a demographic that makes up approximately 20% of our total population (Australian Bureau of Statistics).

We implore you not just as concerned citizens but also as individuals who believe in nurturing future generations through appropriate support systems. Let's give our young people the opportunity they deserve by ensuring continued operation and expansion of these vital Youth Hubs across regional areas.

Please sign this petition today; let's make a difference together!