By KATH GANNAWAY
ANGLICARE and its Boys Will Be Men volunteers have welcomed the return of funding for the program.
Anglicare announced in October last year that their application to the Federal Government for continued funding for the Boys Will Be Men program was unsuccessful.
The first program began in 2001 and had helped more than 350 at-risk boys.
Around 130 volunteer men had been involved in the program, along with dedicated Anglicare workers.
Casey MP, Tony Smith, announced the decision to continue the funding for two years during a recent visit by Minister for Social Services, Scott Morrison.
“The program pairs boys who are at risk of sliding into dangerous and violent behaviours with caring male role models,” Mr Smith said.
“I have seen first-hand the significant part the volunteer mentors have played in the lives of these boys, who have then gone on to become active members of their communities.
“I have been fighting hard behind the scenes to keep this important program running for at-risk boys in this area,” he said.
The current funding was made available following his representations to the Minister.
Minister Morrison commended Mr Smith for raising matters on behalf of the local community, the volunteers and others involved for their commitment, and the young men for the change he said they had been able to bring about in their own lives as a result of the program.
Anglicare Victoria Senior Service Manager, Gaby Thomson, said they were excited at the prospect of re-opening the doors to provide an opportunity for boys in the area to grow into positive and respectful young men.
She said Mr Smith had been a great advocate.
“Most of our volunteer men had continued to hold out hope (that the program would continue) and, thank goodness, we don’t have to recruit more volunteers,” Ms Thomson said.
Long-term volunteer, Ashley Crow, also welcomed the return of funding.
“We see the real benefits on the ground and we were disappointed,” he said.
“You have all these active blokes who want to make a difference, but it’s difficult if you don’t have that Anglicare support structure around the program.”
“It’s great that we can continue to do the work we have been doing in a program that we know makes a difference in the lives of young boys.”
