Parks, bike paths and tiny treasures: Alice Springs' services call for a focus on funding families
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Alice Springs is preparing to exit a three-week youth curfew, and a local children's centre is advocating for alternative ways to fund safe communities. The Larapinta Child and Family Centre in Alice Springs has had success in creating safe spaces for children by revamping a local park and launching a bike riding program. The centre used its one-off seed funding to fund the park revamp and the pilot program, which has taught children to ride and build bush bikes. More than 200 bikes have been rebuilt and gifted to children in the Larapinta neighborhood. The program focuses on building leadership, social skills, community, and self-esteem. The coordinator of the centre, Cassie Boyle, emphasizes the importance of providing support to parents and hopes to see similar programs rolled out for other families and communities across Alice Springs. Blair McFarland, the founder of the Central Australian Youth Link Up Services, believes that addressing the problems in Alice Springs requires programs that build community, lift children, and create jobs. He highlights the need to address poverty, hunger, and homelessness affecting young people in the area. McFarland suggests implementing successful programs and changing government policies to bring about lasting change in Alice Springs.

#AliceSprings #YouthCurfew #Children'sCentre #Funding #Community #BikeRidingProgram

https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/parks-bike-paths-and-tiny-treasures-alice-springs-services-call-for-a-focus-on-funding-families/x6v5y1b0a