EXCLUSIVE
By PETER ROWE
The Together We Ride program supports at-risk boys in the Kimberley to develop life skills and reconnect to family, community, culture, and education.
But its funding ended five months ago, with little chance at present of it being renewed.
The program engages young boys and youths aged 12 to 14 years in an intensive, comprehensive mentorship program that aims to break the cycle that sees so many ending up in jail, so many seeing no pathway in life.
For Joel Ryman and Kevin McKenzie it’s a labour of love.
Joel is a youth mentor and team leader for youth services in Broome, Western Australia.
Kevin is his boss in a mens outreach program that includes suicide prevention, youth mentoring, domestic violence programs and mens and boys health and wellbeing.
It’s a tough gig, make no mistake about that.
But both men are passionate about what they do for the indigenous community in the Kimberley and both are worried that with no current funding to grow the program, youth wellbeing will decline – with all it’s consequences.
“A lot of boys in that 12-14 age group have disengaged with school and are starting to get into trouble,” Joel said.
“Unhealthy habits, stealing, damaging property. And ending up in youth detention.
“Banksia youth detention centre in Perth – 50 per cent of those there are from the Kimberley.
“We are trying to break that cycle and steer them away from trouble.”
Children as young as nine and ten are now getting into trouble and the Together We Ride program was set up to provide a proactive, strengths-based response to youth crime – but also acknowledging disadvantage, trauma, family domestic violence and neglect and disconnection to family, culture, and community.
Support from skilled Indigenous mentors is key and Joel has built a program that does that.
From individual daily contact to healthy group activities in groups as large as 40 boys that includes camps, fishing and hunting, life skills, even learning how to wash your clothes.
“It’s a real positive way of tackling youth disengagement,” Kevin said.
“We get distraught mums calling us asking for help as they can see a problem developing.
“We can work with the school to get them back into the education system, one-on mentoring, on country camps with a male mentor reaching out to families offering support.”
The State government funding ended earlier this year – $800,000 over two years not renewed.
No reasons given, just not renewed.
“We’ve tried other departments, there’s sympathy, but nothing happens,” Kevin admitted.
The benefits of the program are there for all to see.
“It costs $20,000 to put a child through the program, compared to the $200,000 per child it costs to incarcerate one at Banksia.” Joel said.
“Prevention and education has to be a better way than jail.
“If we can create a positive cycle that not only keeps kids out of trouble but gives them hope, a pathway in their young lives, then it’s got to be a better option.”
The knock-on effect is also another great selling point.
Kids who have gone through the program, do understand better and do achieve more – and – act as mentors to the next generation of kids coming through.
“Youth crime here in Broome is a problem, so we need programs like this to give them hope,” Kevin said, shaking his head when asked if police assist in the program.
“They see the law and the crime, so don’t look past that, to be honest,” he said.
“We are trying to mentor this specific age group which is very vulnerable to outside influences – American rappers and drugs and crime on social media – that if they don’t go to school, have respect for their families and elders, there’s no graduation, no TAFE, no employment.”
Of the boys who have been on the program, and other mentoring that has included social wellbeing in families, respect for women and the consequences of not doing that, both Joel and Kevin have seen remarkable changes.
“It costs $20,000 to put a child through the program, compared to the $200,000 per child it costs to incarcerate one at Banksia.”
“We know it works. The feedback has been amazing. There have been special moments when they appreciate what we are doing for them and they can see a way forward,” Joel said.
Strong behavioural change, a group support system that works and better ways to support families.
But since the program was put on hold, months ago, because of the funding cut, they have noticed problems arising again.
“We have had lots of calls from parents struggling,” Kevin said.
“We’ve had pleas for help, but with no funding it’s heartbreaking to see.
“Surely there must be a government department, or a minister that can see the benefits to society this program has?”
The Together We Ride program wants to improve life and leadership skills, increase self-esteem, promote inclusion through team building activities, promote a sense of community and encourage positive family connections.
Is that too much to ask for?
