An Indigenous-led youth centre has had a significant impact in Fitzroy Crossing in just four weeks of operating, benefiting local kids and the broader community.
The Youth Connection Night Place, established by Marra Worra Worra Aboriginal Corporation with the support of WA Police and Leedal, provides a safe haven and comprehensive support after hours for children and youth in the Kimberley town.
Marra Worra Worra general manager of program Nicola Angell told National Indigenous Times the community recognised "the need for more support and services for young people in the Fitzroy Valley, particularly disengaged and street present young people", and Marra Worra Worra, Leedal and WA Police stepped up to address the need.
"What I particularly like about the night place is that it's designed by community for community and the service is grass roots, culturally appropriate and trauma informed," she said.
"Our numbers each night and the data we are collecting clearly shows that we are hitting the mark."
In its first month, 165 individual children have engaged with the Night Place. The service has had a total of 845 interactions with young people, and prepared 1250 meals.
Officer in Charge of the Fitzroy Crossing Police Station, Mark Howes, noted that the Night Place has been a factor in reducing local crime.
"In the previous two years crime in Fitzroy Crossing coming out of the dry season starts to rise in September. This year we saw a decrease in reported crimes in the month of September compared to the previous two years," he said.
"We think that the opening of the Night Place is contributing to this reduced crime."
Marra Worra Worra youth connection coordinator Rochelle Dolby told National Indigenous Times the feedback from children made it clear the Night Place was meeting an important need in the community.
"It is working for them... They say they love the place, some have asked if they can sleep and live there, that it's great to have, they say 'I'm coming every night' and they ask 'can this place be forever?'" she said.
Ms Dolby noted it is striking children have asked for the centre to be a permanent presence in the town.
"It illustrates that some of the services in Fitzroy have been only for a short time," she said.
"It was good to hear the positive comments the kids make about the place."
Marra Worra Worra is now examining "how to enhance our delivery" with follow-up day visits to young people and their families and referrals to other services.
The Indigenous-led resource centre said there is "a great opportunity" for collaboration with other organisations and agencies, such as the Department of Education and the local high school, to work with Marra Worra Worra to re-engage particularly secondary aged young people back into school or alternative education settings.
