Project Booyah boosting graduates’ confidence

The latest Moreton Project Booyah group of five girls graduated from a 16-week police mentoring program last week.

The program, which is run by the Queensland Police Service in partnership with the Police Citizens Youth Club (PCYC) and the local community, focuses on supporting at-risk and disengaged young people to build self-esteem and resilience.

Participants are often considered at-risk in the community and many have disengaged from their schooling or community.

Project Booyah works to develop teenagers’ leadership, social, literacy and numeracy skills to put them on a pathway towards improving their health, education, employment opportunities and connection to community.

One of the latest Moreton Bay graduates is 15-year-old Reagan.

Currently in Year 10, Reagan was disengaged from school, which led to a referral to Project Booyah.

Remarkable achievements

Project Booyah Moreton Police Co-ordinator Senior Constable Hope Drury says Reagan was initially apprehensive about taking part, but after encouragement from her older brother, who has also completed the program, she joined and attended every day of the program.

“She is one of only two students that has made it to every day of the program, which is a huge achievement considering she had come from a disengaged school experience,” Senior Constable Drury says.

“Throughout the program, Reagan has re-engaged at school and grown in her confidence.

“Everyone at Project Booyah is very proud of Reagan and it’s been amazing to watch her grow as a person.”

Life-changing experience

Reagan says the program has had a profound impact on her life.

“I was nervous and shy, but since coming into Booyah it’s been really good and I’ve got a great connection with everyone involved,” Reagan says.

“I now know that I have more people who are there to support and help me.

“Sometimes we do fun activities and other times we work on our Respect booklets, which teach us about healthy relationships, controlling our emotions, and the impacts of drugs and alcohol.

“Project Booyah has been really helpful in growing my confidence as a person.

“Since being part of Booyah, I focus more at school and have been going to all my classes.”

Reagan has a part-time job and says she wants to stay at school to complete Year 12, while also doing a part-time trade apprenticeship to help her achieve her dream job.

“I want to be a diesel fitter in the mines,” she says.

“I think that will open up lots of opportunities for me.”

As graduates, the cohort will remain connected to Project Booyah through regular contact from program facilitators to support them to achieve their goals.