City secures $125,000 funding for Kaya Karawara Youth Program

Young people in Karawara and surrounding suburbs will benefit from activities and pathways to positive engagement thanks to $125,000 in funding secured by the City of South Perth through the Western Australian Police Force’s Police Community Services Fund. 

The funding will support delivery of the City’s Kaya Karawara program designed to engage local young people; strengthen connections to services; and contribute to community safety. Delivered in partnership with Kids First Australia, the program will combine supervised weekly youth drop-in sessions at George Burnett Leisure Centre with proactive street outreach using the Boorloo Outreach Support to Streets (BOSS) model. 

This approach enables Kids First youth workers to engage young people in locations where they are; build trust; provide support and connection to appropriate services; and encourage participation in structured activities. 

The weekly drop-in sessions will include free afternoon tea and recreational activities, such as ping pong, board games, basketball and more. Local young people aged 12-18 years are welcome to attend every Friday from 2pm to 4pm during the term, which will provide a perfect way to unwind after a busy school week. 

City of South Perth Mayor Greg Milner welcomed the funding, acknowledging the Western Australian Police Force for its investment in community-led prevention initiatives. 

“This funding will help us strengthen connections with local young people and provide positive opportunities that build confidence, resilience and a sense of belonging,” Mayor Milner said. 

“The Kaya Karawara pilot program undertaken between January and July 2026 has already proven to be a valuable way of engaging young people in our community in a safe and supportive way. This funding means we can build on this work and reach more young people who may benefit from additional support and positive role models,” he added. 

“By partnering with Kids First Australia, WA Police, local schools and service providers, we can help young people stay connected, supported and engaged,” he said. 

The project also supports the City’s Community Safety and Crime Prevention Plan 2022-2027 by strengthening connections with priority community groups and working collaboratively with WA Police to enhance community safety outcomes. 

For more information about Kaya Karawara, visit the City’s website.