Youths from Waalitj Foundation’s Bunuru program learn new skills with cubby donation for Leda daycare centre

Children at a Leda daycare centre have somewhere new to play thanks to youths taking part in a mentoring program aimed at reducing recidivism. The team of young people designed and built a cubby house as part of their participation in Waalitj Foundation’s Bunuru mentoring program, which comprises youths referred from the criminal justice system. Participants worked with mentors to create the 420kg cubby and decorate it after it was installed at Djinda Dreaming Education in Leda. The program provides intensive mentoring and development, along with real world working skills, focusing on education and training to reduce recidivism and create employment pathways for young males. Participants learned planning, budgeting and building skills through the cubby house project. Program co-ordinator Shayne Williams said the program taught the boys a lot, from the courtesy of texting a mentor if they were not going to be at the workshop to gaining qualifications such as a forklift ticket. “We have the boys on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, do visits to their homes on Mondays and Fridays and we provide 24-7 support,” he said. “We support boys at Banksia Hill Detention Centre by providing training and helping them obtain their White Card. “Our mentoring extends beyond their release and we also engage with their families while they’re at Banksia.” Senior youth justice officer Stacey Madden said programs such as Bunuru had a profound impact on participants as they were able to give back to the community. “They make new friends, learn about teamwork and find out about the importance of turning up and finishing something,” she said.