“It’s Such A Worthy Program” Eight Young Women Graduate From Project Booyah

Eight young women are celebrating new beginnings after graduating from Project Booyah Mackay last Wednesday night, marking the completion of a 16-week mentoring program designed to build confidence, resilience and practical life skills.

Project Booyah is a Queensland Police Service-led community mentoring program delivered in partnership with PCYC, which focuses on helping disconnected young people reconnect with education, training, employment and their community.

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Throughout the program, the graduates stepped outside their comfort zones while developing skills in emotional awareness, conflict resolution, problem-solving, healthy relationships, cyber safety and strategies for managing thoughts, emotions and behaviours through evidence-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy principles.

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Senior Constable Keiran Horsfall, the police co-ordinator for Project Booyah in Mackay, said the program was about creating opportunities and helping young people move forward with confidence.

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“QPS and PCYC work in partnership to help disengaged young people gain experience and qualifications, with the aim of helping them build better lives,” he said.

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Senior Constable Horsfall, who has been involved in nine programs so far, went on to say that the state-wide initiative had been operating since 2012 and now had 10 sites across Queensland, with the Mackay program running since 2021.

“One of the most rewarding aspects of the program is seeing the personal growth in participants.”

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“You get to see a big change in their life, particularly self-esteem, and improvements across many areas, even employment opportunities which is great.”

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“This program helps them with things like moral reasoning, conflict management, anger management, resilience, goal setting, sexual health, and cyber safety.”

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Police Liaison Officer Barb Hill said the program worked closely with support services to assist young people facing a range of challenges, including psychological and drug-related issues.

Ms Hill said the long-term impact of the program was often the most inspiring part of her role.

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“I love seeing the change in the young girls and boys involved in these programs,” she said.

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“The after-effects just ripple on, and it’s so awesome when you see them out in the community, and they’re really excited to fill you in on what the’re up to now, and where they’re working.”

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“That’s what we see across the board, because the program offers courses to make them employable, and it really just changes the trajectory of their life.”

The program alternates between girls’ and boys’ cohorts, with the next boys’ intake due to begin in July.

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One of the graduates spoke on behalf of the group during the ceremony, reflecting on the friendships, opportunities and support they had experienced over the past four months.

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“I was so glad you gave me the opportunity to join Booyah and help me turn my life around.”

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“It has become like a second family to us, and I’m so grateful to have shared this journey with you all.”

Senior Constable Horsfall said the strong turnout at the graduation highlighted the importance of the program in the Mackay community.

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“There obviously is a need for the program in Mackay, and we’re just happy to be part of it,” he said.

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“The outcomes you see from this just shows that it’s such a worthy program.”

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