Chance On MainChance on Main works with young people aged 10-19 years who are often seen as ‘high risk’ by mainstream service providers and are often the source of much concern for police, education and health personnel. 
Chance on Main provides a chance for the young people involved to take a different life path, by creating an environment for young people to learn skills and to ‘give something back’ to the community. Chance on Main also provides an opportunity for other community members to help ‘at risk’ young people through a mentoring program and to build greater understanding between marginalised young people and the rest of the community. HistoryThe need for a sustainable early intervention, prevention and restorative program in the 10-19 year age group in Glenorchy was identified by numerous local and State consultations and research, including:
Young people themselves identified the need for a program like Chance on Main during consultations in 2002, 2003 and 2004. These consultations were conducted as part of National Youth Week and through the Glenorchy Task Force. In 2003 the Youth Action Network Glenorchy (YANG) which is an interagency network comprising more than 80 youth sector services in the City of Glenorchy, formed a working group to oversee the employment of a project officer to research the feasibility of establishing a Chance on Main program in Glenorchy. 
Extensive research was undertaken of models interstate and within Tasmania prior to the establishment of the Chance on Main program. In 2004 Chance on Main received pilot project funding from the National Community Crime Prevention Program and the Tasmanian Community Fund, and in the first 22 months of operation 82 per cent of participants did not re-offended from the time they entered the program – a trend that is continuing today. The partnership with Oak Tasmania was established after Chance on Main’s steering committee invited a number of not for profit organisations to submit a tender to replace the Glenorchy City Council as the auspice. The tender process for an auspice organisation was completed in July 2008, with Oak Tasmania being the successful tender and taking over responsibility for the ongoing management and administration of Chance on Main on 1 January 2009. Uniquely Tasmanian, Recognised Nationally.Chance on Main remains a unique project. It doesn’t duplicate any other service offered in the City of Glenorchy or in Tasmania. No other organisation is working specifically with this target group in the City of Glenorchy using the methods employed by Chance on Main and the results demonstrate tangible and credible intervention and restorative outcomes. Participants show an improved sense of well-being, improved communication and relationships with others and tangible life changes, for example; obtaining traineeships or returning to school. 
In 2005 Chance on Main was announced the winner of the Group Innovation Award in the Tasmanian Crime Prevention and Community Safety Awards, and in 2006 was announced National Winner in the Australian Crime and Violence Prevention Awards. Programs, activities and methodsChance on main’s strength lies in its’ dedicated staff and their ability to deliver contemporary restorative practices and crime prevention principles. New programs have been added and the participant base has increased – with the majority of referrals now coming from the State’s Education Department. 
Chance on Main provides real, hands-on activities for young people that fit their particular interests, for example; building and refurbishing furniture, creating and recording music, fixing bicycles, learning computer skills and arts. These activities engage the participants’ interest and builds trust between them and the program workers, who then challenge participants to change violent or aggressive behaviours, re-engage with schooling or study, and to make positive connections with their community. Chance on Main uses a variety of methods to achieve these aims: mentoring by high profile community and sporting personalities, intensive individual support and counselling, support to the families of young people involved in the program, and hands-on activity programs offered on and off site (for example; metal work, computer training) Mission StatementTo give young people at risk the opportunity to discover their skills and abilities and to support them in their journey along the pathways to achieving their potential. Contact usFurther information may be obtained by contacting Chance on Main’s Operations Manager: Mike Duval-Stewart 157 Main Road Phone: (03) 6272 2023 Email: Click here |
