Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative Youth Justice Program provides a culturally suppportive service for young people aged 10-24 years.

This service is provided to young Aboriginal people who have been involved, or are at risk of becoming involved with the criminal justice system or court system.

• Young people are provided advocacy, support and referrals to other services within the organisation or external agencies. The Youth Justice Worker works closely with young people who are on Youth Justice Orders which have been handed down from the Magistrate for criminal offending.
• It's all about supporting our youth in becoming strong, respectful, independent, healthy individuals. We are invested in providing a community focused approach -identifying strengths and building positive relationships. Our goal is to help our young people become confident and courageous in making real, positive choices.
• Young people, families, carers and outside agencies can contact Wathaurong's Aboriginal Youth Justice worker in relation to:
• Young people in custody and needing assistance Help with the court process and support with understanding what is involved Advocacy in accessing services within Wathaurong and external agencies If a young person is at risk of becoming involved in the criminal justice system

If you, or a young person you know, is at risk of becoming involved with police or the court process, please contact the Aboriginal Youth Justice Worker at Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative for confidential advice and assistance.

We oversee Community Corrections Order (CCO) hours at Wurdi Youang where we provide productive and culturally strengthening activities such as:

• land management
• weed control
• tree planting
• setup of greenhouse/hot-house for:
  • future seed collection
  • propagation of native grasses and seeds
• interaction between this program and a number of services

We work hard to achieve minimisation and elimination of our community's contact with the justice system, through education and intervention, as well as working closely with other programs and services to address core issues that lead to individual offending.