A program linking police, community groups and disadvantaged young people in Raymond Terrace is celebrating its one-year success at helping them gain their licence.
Access to a car and an experienced driver to mentor is often a barrier to securing P-plates, but 6 local young people have now been successful through the program, opening doors for their employment and further education.
It links young men and women with a Kloster's car and experienced driver to show them the accelerator from the brake, and take them out for 120 hours of on-road training.
The program is a partnership between Port Stephens-Hunter Police District, Raymond Terrace Rotary, Port Stephens Council, Raymond Terrace PCYC, the Wahroonga Aboriginal Corporation and the Raymond Terrace Men’s Shed.
Raymond Terrace Rotary President Steven Merritt says they're hopeful the program will keep growing into the future.
"We've helped many children, but there's six that we would lay credit to helping secure their licence...having launched the program, we're now finding that several mentors and students are on the go right now."
Mr Merritt says there are some great flow-on effects stemming from the program.
"Having a licence comes back to self-esteem and capacity to get a job...having a licence keeps them out of trouble."
Port Stephens-Hunter Police District Chief Inspector Tony Townsend says the program is an essential part of developing local community ties.
“The existence of the program is the culmination of some significant background work by all partner agencies, who are determined to make a difference for disadvantaged members of the Port Stephens community,” Chief Inspector Townsend said.
“The existence of the program is the culmination of some significant background work by all partner agencies, who are determined to make a difference for disadvantaged members of the Port Stephens community,” Chief Inspector Townsend said.
