By Parker McKenzie
Tribe-Monbulk Youth Inc. will receive a “life-changing” $280,000 if the Liberal Party is elected to form government after the November 26 state election.
Liberal Party candidate for Monbulk Gareth Ward announced the election promise on Friday 14 October at a Youth Voices event held by the organisation.
“Tribe Youth Group does such important work supporting our most vulnerable younger Victorians here in Monbulk,” he said.
“I’m proud to be part of a team that helps back them.”
Tribe-Monbulk Youth Inc. is an independent non-religious youth organisation aiming to create an inclusive space for teens and kids to meet and make friends.
Founder of Tribe Belinda Grooby said the funding, if it comes to fruition, would make a massive difference in the lives of young people.
“We’ve got young people that are really struggling at the moment and have been for the last few years particularly since the pandemic and Tribe Youth Inc. continues to grow with them,” she said.
“hundred of kids have come through Tribe in the last four and a half years. We continue to grow weekly, so for us, that kind of funding will be life-changing.”
Ms Grooby founded the organisation in 2018 because of a concern about the lack of opportunities for young teens to connect with each other outside school and sports. Tribe-Monbulk Youth Inc. is a volunteer organisation and is funded by community partners and Yarra Ranges Council.
she said part of the funding would be used for a social enterprise with the aim of “supporting young people into getting proper training.”
“We’re hosting a coffee them and then we try to get young people to be qualified which will support our ongoing sustainability, but also give young people the opportunity to learn a real skill that they could take anywhere,” she said.
“Funding will go towards supporting young people in areas such as mental health, social connection, and connecting young people with each other to build social skills.”
Tribe-Monbulk Youth Inc. hosts regular youth meetings at Monbulk Living and Learning Centre on Fridays, with food provided for those attending.
Shadow Minister for Youth Affairs Dr Matt Bach said Tribe-Monbulk Youth Inc. is an example of a not-for-profit organisation supporting hundreds of vulnerable people.
“Over the course of the last two years, we’ve seen first-hand the impact Covid has had on our youngest and most vulnerable Victorians,” he said.
“The Liberals and Nationals will always assist organisations like Tribe Youth Group who do amazing work supporting young people in accessing counselling services, work experience and even permanent housing.”
Labor candidate for Monbulk Daniela De Martino was contacted for comment.
