YOUNG people ‘at risk’ in Perth are getting a wake up call from the Bussed-Ed program bus when it arrives at the front door to take them to school. The program is the brainchild of Edventures WA and is part of the organisation’s commitment to creating life opportunities for young people and their families. Formerly known as Karawara Community Project, Edventures WA was established in 1985 with a similar purpose. But limitations from the traditional approach to youth services led to a re-branding in January 2005 and a new scope and direction. The award-winning Bussed-Ed program not only helps students make it to school, but also provides them with a nutritious breakfast. Volunteers from the Boronia Pre-Release Centre for Women assist in the preparation of breakfasts for students, creating a positive opportunity for the women to give back to the community. Edventures WA general manager David Platt said Bussed Ed helped youths at risk of entering the justice system and gave them the support to stay in school and make positive choices. “All of our offices are located on school premises and our youth workers try to give them consistent and positive adult reinforcement. Our first focus is getting the kids to school and keeping them there,” he said. Programs are run primarily through the south-east metropolitan area and target students who are at risk of engaging in graffiti, shoplifting and other anti-social behaviour. Last year, Bussed-Ed’s achievements were recognised with a Community Service Industry Award for working creatively to make a difference. All programs are ‘youth-led’, developed and evaluated in consultation with young people to give them responsibility for creating their own opportunities. Other popular programs under the ‘Youthlinx’ umbrella include ‘Bounce’, in which coordinators supervise young people on school holidays and during crucial out-of-school time through a variety of life skills activities including cooking, fishing, camping and sports. Youthlinx manager James Rigg said his program currently catered to 50 students and was far removed from traditional daycare. “We build close personal relationships with the kids because we see them regularly but it’s hard to get them to engage in the program in the beginning because they have to learn to trust,” he said. ‘Youthled’ programs include a music-based substance misuse project called ‘Live and Loud’ featuring a DJ training program, and the ‘Common Room’ project at Yule Brook School Maddington, which has provided students with an empty classroom and the responsibility for transforming it into a student-only space. Youthled manager and common room supervisor Wayne Simmons said students learnt how to budget, negotiate, make decisions and work together. “It took months to finish but they learned what is acceptable behaviour and got a big welcome to the real world,” he said. Afternoon programs are supported by the Department of Family and Community Services but Bussed-Ed remains in need of funding to continue its support of young people in need.