Smartsalary, a Smartgroup brand, is in its third year of partnership with PCYC Queensland and we are so proud to be supporting work that’s making a real difference in the state’s regional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Catch Me If You Can (CMIYC) is a PCYC initiative that aims to foster stronger connections and sustainable relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, at-risk youth and the Queensland Police Service.
With Smartsalary’s backing, CMIYC provides a program of sporting activities, mentoring workshops and leadership development to the students of regional schools that haven’t had the resources to offer an opportunity like this.
From all reports, it’s been a great success.
Constable Nick Mullarvey participated in a recent program at PCYC Cairns. “The improvement in behaviour and level of communication with police throughout the program was remarkable; a significant improvement which was observed not only by other QPS officers but also local community members,” he said.
“Prior to the program, students would run in the opposite direction when they saw me approaching. Now they will almost always approach me and say hello. I believe this connection and willingness to cooperate with police will be taken through to adulthood and will continue to create positive outcomes for themselves and their communities.”
CMIYC was also run at PCYC Hervey Bay, PCYC Logan and PCYC South Burnett. Students from surrounding high schools and local police mentors came together to discuss community issues, healthy relationships, and mental health; build leadership and social skills, and share life experiences.
From all of us here at Smartsalary, congratulations to the PCYC Queensland team and the students and mentors working together to build safer, healthier communities.
Police-Citizens Youth Clubs Queensland and Smartsalary would like to acknowledge and pay our respects to the traditional custodians of the lands on which our Clubs are placed and their continuing connection to the land, sea and community. We also acknowledge and pay our respects to Elders, past and present.