Kanahooka High School students will be the ultimate beneficiaries of a $10,000 grant awarded to the Top Blokes Foundation by CUA Dapto.
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The youth-led charity will use the cash to implement a peer-led mentoring program for up to 60 boys at Kanahooka HS.
The Junior Top Blokes Mentoring Program will help at risk and disadvantaged 14 to 17-year-old boys at the school.
The program aims to help the teens develop positive decision-making skills, decreasing risk-taking and anti-social behaviour while developing personal qualities of integrity and self-respect.
Top Blokes managing director and founder Melissa Abu-Gazaleh said the program has achieved positive results in the past.
These included 91 percent of participants indicating they learned something new about looking after their mental health and 85 per cent saying they have significantly changed their opinions about alcohol and other drug use.
‘’We are very thankful that this grant from CUA will enable us to deliver a one year program involving 48-60 boys at Kanahooka High School,’’ she said.
‘’Many of our team grew up in the local area and know first hand the challenges that face these boys.
‘’We are passionate about helping them build strong decision making skills so they can strive towards their full potential.’’
CUA Dapto branch manager Susan Bartlett said the Top Blokes Foundation was chosen from 16 groups which applied for the CUA Mutual Good Community Grants Program.
‘’It was wonderful to see so much enthusiasm from the applicants and we are absolutely delighted that we have this opportunity to support the local community here in Dapto,’’ Mrs Bartlett said.
‘’We are thrilled to be able to help make a positive impact on the mental health of young men.’’