The Armadale Youth Intervention Partnership recently won a statewide award and two of its participants think it could not be more deserved.
Twins Brody and Jake Galipo, 18, described themselves as menaces before they entered the program a year ago.
They were in need of help and through the AYIP program the City of Armadale referred them to Save the Children’s reconnect program and assisted them in earning a Certificate II in Leadership.
Since then they have turned their lives around and helped mentor other young people at-risk. They have each completed more than 90 hours of volunteer work helping seniors and needy families.
Jake said before the reconnect program they just did not fit into society.
“Alcohol, drugs, you name it, that stupid stuff and from there we got stuck in a rut,” he said.
He said while they were hesitant at first they soon came around. “We didn’t really care for anything,” he said.
“If you gave us rules we wouldn’t follow them, the way they explained it to us we were always bored so they said we will make it so its not always boring for you and you have fun but you have to meet us halfway.
“We’ve never really had that structure.
“A year ago we never expected to do something like this but we love it and it makes us feel good not fearing about walking down the street.”
Brody said through AYIP they were connected with people who helped them change their behaviour.
“We connected with the workers, they were nice but they weren’t fake,” he said.
“For where we were, very big menace in society this program has dramatically changed us, we’ve still got a long way to go don’t get us wrong but we’re going to try even harder to better ourselves.
“We’ve got a few ideas to try and help give back to the community that we’ve taken so much from.
“We’re trying to start up this homeless soup kitchen thing, drive around and drop off food packages, blankets like a care package.”
The AYIP program took out the innovation award at the recent Local Government Managers Association WA Community Development Awards.
It comprises of Save the Children, Hope Community Services, WA Police, YMCA, City of Armadale, Department of Child Protection, Mission Australia and Armadale Family Support Network.
It focuses on individuals and creating positive outcomes for Armadale’s young people – without organisational politics.
Armadale Mayor Henry Zelones said the city was proud to collect the award on behalf of AYIP.
“The AYIP Program is a fantastic example of numerous like-minded agencies working together as one to address significant and complex community issues,” he said.
“Through the development of a place-based response to youth wellbeing, individuals have seen amazing outcomes, which can go a long way to changing the trajectory of their lives.”
