BRIGHT FUTURE: Kim Newnham with her daughter Taylor who last year took part in the Getting Ahead Life Skills Development program.
FROM next Thursday, a program to assist wayward 17 to 24-year-olds get their lives on track will take place in Nowra.
The Getting Ahead Life Skills Development program teaches skills in money management, housing, health, communication, law and numeracy and literacy.
The program also teaches participants about the importance of nutrition.
The program has been running annually in Nowra, Sanctuary Point and Ulladulla for two years.
Staged by Shoalhaven Youth Accommodation, it runs for eight weeks, 9am to 1pm, Thursdays and Fridays.
Shoalhaven Youth Accommodation life skills development co-ordinator Veronika Malesevic encouraged youths, parents and agencies to get in touch if they knew someone who could benefit from the program.
“A few places in the program are still available,” she said.
“This program is classed as an approved Work Development Order activity, which means people who have any state debts or fines can help pay them off by taking part in this program.
“Last year I had six participants pay off their fines,” Ms Malesevic said.
Taylor James’ life started to head in a better direction after she took part in the program last year.
The 16-year-old from Sanctuary Point was disengaging from school and saw the program as a positive way to do something productive with her life.
Her mother Kim Newnham credits the program with contributing to improving her daughter’s skills and readiness for the adult world.
“As a parent you can only do so much, sometimes an outside influence can be a great help,” Ms Newnham said.
“I think it’s a great kick start for young people who might not be suited to main stream schooling or who may have disadvantages in their life.
“It is a good stepping stone into adult life,” she said.
For more information or to book a place on the program phone 4422 7584.