Driving program for young offenders receives Lotterywest grant at presentation in Cloverdale

A PROGRAM teaching young offenders how to drive received a generous Lotterywest grant at a presentation in Cloverdale on Tuesday .

Drive to the Future received $136,772, allowing program runners the Federation of WA Police and Community Youth Centres (PCYC) to spend the funds on a second mobile drive unit to expand its program into regional areas.

Regional managers will be provided with iPads for flexible, on-the-go training.

Funding will also go to repairing a driving simulator.

The program reaches more than 80 participants per month.

Presenting the grant at the PCYC Belmont headquarters, WA Youth Minister Paul Miles said the Drive to the Future program had been incredibly successful, resulting in decreased criminal activity, enhanced employment opportunities, reduced antisocial behaviour and had improved the self-esteem, confidence and self-worth of participants.

“The PCYC has been instrumental in shaping, delivering and influencing young people and their involvement in WA communities for more than seven decades,” he said.