The Friday Night Live youth program is run by the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence (NCIE) and targets Indigenous people aged between 12 and 18 in Redfern, Waterloo, Glebe and Darlinghurst.
The minister visited the NCIE to announce the funding. “This grant will help continue the great work of the NCIE. This program will focus on sport and health, and help young people develop important life skills in a safe environment,” Ms Williams said.
Attorney General Gabrielle Upton said the grant is part of the NSW Government’s Community Safety Fund, which will deliver $10 million in community grants over four years. “Today we are investing in strong evidence-based projects to promote safety in communities, to provide opportunities for young people to engage in positive activities and to steer at-risk people away from a path of crime,” Ms Upton said.
Kirstie Parker, CEO of NCIE, said the centre’s Friday Night Live events see local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people come together for free, fun and healthy activities in a safe family-friendly environment. “NCIE opens its gates to the local community, offering 3on3 basketball and Oz-Tag, robotics workshops, movies, music, cultural activities such as weaving and dance, and more.”
The program is one of several community projects designed to reduce criminal and anti-social behaviour across NSW.
