Emma Pritchard, Clarence Valley Independent
He spoke so passionately about his work with Clarence Valley youths, Jeremy Jablonski had to pause several times as the emotion of the occasion overwhelmed him.
Mr Jablonski, a youth hub coordinator with the New School of Arts Neighbourhood Centre Inc, was among a small crowd which gathered at Fisher Park in Grafton on April 28 to welcome The Honourable Bronnie Taylor, Minister for Mental Health, Regional Youth and Woman, and Member for Clarence Chris Gulaptis as they officially launched the Clarence Valley Youth Hubs, made possible through Round 3 of the Stronger Country Communities Fund.
The youth hubs will ensure young people in the Clarence Valley have increased access to social and wellbeing support services thanks to more than $350000 in funding from the NSW Government.
“It’s a massive investment,” Mr Jablonski said proudly.
“It’s aimed towards young people through our youth hubs across the Clarence Valley, including the ones here at Fisher Park.
“Tonnes of young people are engaging with our youth hubs and it’s a great way to offer them additional support, and for us to interact with them.”
Describing those involved with the youth hub programs throughout the Clarence Valley as champions, Mr Gulaptis said the youth hubs provide a soft entry point for social workers to promote social inclusion, support young people and assist them with referrals to health and wellbeing information and support.
Acknowledging Mr Jablonski for his incredible work ethic and commitment to local youths, Mr Gulaptis said “money is nowhere near as important as the passion you show and the hard work from everybody else involved in the youth hubs.”
As Ms Taylor stepped forward and addressed the crowd, she said something magical had happened during the official launch.
“We had this amazing young man (Mr Jablonski) who was quite happy to talk to you, but more importantly, he told you how and showed you how he felt,” she said.
“And you all embraced him with the way you looked at him, which was magical.
“As the Minister for Regional Youth, to be here and see all the young people having so much fun and doing things which are good for your physical and mental health, it’s up to us to make sure we can facilitate that and it’s great to see it.”
“We’re building a safer, stronger regional NSW and what’s really great about this program is that it will operate outside of school and business hours as well as weekends to engage with young people at times that are convenient for them.”
This article appeared in the Clarence Valley Independent, 5 May 2021.