by Joseph Smith

Jason*, 17, from South-West Sydney, has a history of criminal behaviour including assault and drug use. After a series of cautions he was put into detention. While inside, Jason incited more violence. The teenager was put through a rehabilitation scheme run by the Department of Juvenile Justice.

After a week, he was chosen to take part in Anglican Youthworks’ Challenge Program, the result of a new partnership between Youthworks and the NSW Government.

Youthworks will work with young people who have been convicted and received sentences ranging from community orders to time in custody. The program offers outdoor adventure-based learning to help them build positive relationships such as rock climbing, abseiling and hiking, as well as using debriefing and group work.

Dominic Vu from the Department’s Metropolitan Regional Office said the Youthworks scheme has “real value for youth from high-risk backgrounds”.  “They are challenged ...and can escape from the environment they are usually in,” Mr Vu said.

After the first day of the pilot day program, Youthworks coordinator Anna Moss believes it had a positive impact on Jason. “It was his first time out of detention,” she said. “He was a hardened young man, but it was great having him there. He wasn’t violent at all on the day. He completed all the activities.”

Youthworks usually run longer camps for high school students and the young people who cope well with the scheme will be offered the chance to go on more in the future.

Mrs Moss says the scheme gives Youthworks contact with young people far outside the normal reach of churches. “These are the types of kids that don’t go to your local youth group. They’re out in gangs….[it’s] a great opportunity to provide a Christian ministry to these kids,” she said. Program coordinator Alan Gray agrees. “We want to show them there is fun, lively stuff you can do that is not harmful. Abseiling can get your adrenalin going. It doesn’t have to be stealing cars.”

Mr Vu believes the program has the potential for eternal impact. “I had an introduction with Anna and told her always be ready for the opportunity to put across Christian values to these young people,” he said. “You would be surprised – some will be very open to Christian beliefs.”

*name changed