At-risk kids finding work, purpose with cops' help
A NSW program is bringing cops and at-risk youths together to bring troubled kids back on track.
Liam Thomas, 16, told A Current Affair he was heading down a dangerous path, and the last people he trusted were the police.
"I thought they're all just out to get you, try to put you behind the cell," he said.
His teacher Frances Cassettari knew Liam was struggling and in an attempt to help, introduced him to a new police program called Rise Up, run through local PCYCs.
A recent program is connecting cops with troubled youths to help keep young people on track. A Current Affair
The program helps disengaged young people reconnect with the community and find a purpose through work.
"They've taught me how to talk in an interview, how to have some sort of work ethic, and just in general be a lot better person," Liam said.
He's now started an apprenticeship and hopes to become a mechanical engineer.
New South Wales Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said the program has helped break down barriers between young people and police.
Liam Thomas said he had been on a dangerous path and mistrustful of police. A Current Affair
In its first year, more than 1000 teens have gone through the program.
Of those looking for work, 140 found a job and 80 per cent of them are still employed - in industries including fast food, fitness, hospitality, office work and entertainment.
PCYC CEO Dominic Teakle said the program gave at-risk kids somewhere to belong, and some purpose.
"Their faces light up, and behaviour at school and behaviour in the community improves," he said.
Annabelle Koopman said she had struggled with life at school and at home after a family tragedy.
The PCYC program has been running for a year. A Current Affair
But with her mum's help, she joined the PCYC and is now working hard with her case worker to hopefully find a job.
Zoe Hampton was skipping school and finding herself in trouble with the police.
But through the program she met Senior Constable Matt Davenport, and has now found her true passion, starting a career as a pastry chef at a local patisserie.
"The kitchen is really busy, so it's good, there's always something to do," she said.
"I finally feel like I've found what I was meant to do."
Zoe Hampton now has a job as a pastry chef. A Current Affair
Maddisyn Apps-Gale was a teen well-known to the police, and her attitude towards law enforcement was far from complimentary.
When she joined Rise Up, she met Senior Constable Racquel Hassett.
"I think the first words she said to me were, 'I don't like you, I don't like police'," Sen Const Hassett said.
But now, Maddisyn has taken up community sport and singing, has finished a barista and a first-aid course, and has a job at the local fish and chip shop.
Teens learn to trust the police, as well as skills to help them find work. A Current Affair
"Ask if you ever need help," Maddisyn said as advice for other teens who might be struggling.
"Just go to the police or go to the PCYC, they're always there for a hand."
The program, now a year old, could be adopted by other states due to its success.
Liam is fully in favour of it.
"No-one wants to see you locked up," he said.
"They want to see you out and they want to see you being a functioning member of society."
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