Sunshine Coast Program Offers Effective Solution to Queensland’s Youth Crime Crisis
Queensland is currently grappling with a youth crime crisis, leaving residents and law enforcement at their wit’s end. However, a potential solution to this ongoing problem may be closer than expected. Veteran Mentors, a program located in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, has been successfully transforming troubled youth for the past six years.
The program takes in troubled teenagers from all over the country and even from around the world. Through a nine-day intensive program led by military veterans, these youngsters are stripped down and rebuilt with a no-nonsense approach. The program director, Troy Methorst, emphasizes the importance of building a strong connection with the participants, enabling their transformation.
Many of the kids who participate in the program have a significant criminal history, having been involved in car-jackings, armed robberies, break-ins, and serious assaults. Frustrated victims of crime have expressed their belief that the only solution is to lock these offenders up and throw away the key. However, Veteran Mentors proves that there is a more effective approach.
During the nine-day program, the participants are dressed in army fatigues, completely cut off from the outside world. Phones and social media access are strictly prohibited, ensuring no distractions. Not even a phone call home is allowed. This method helps the troubled teens focus solely on their personal development and growth.
One teenager, Maison Reeves, recently completed the program. Maison had a history of trouble, including robbery and threatening a victim with a knife. However, his mother Sharon attests to his incredible transformation after completing the program. Although she was not allowed contact with Maison during the course, she states that he has become a completely changed person.
While reports from the Queensland government in the past have questioned the effectiveness of boot camp programs like this, Troy insists that the Veteran Mentors program now ticks all the necessary boxes. It goes beyond brutal drills and strict rules, offering holistic sound meditation, proper nutrition, resume training, and even one-on-one preparation for job interviews.
Despite the success of the program, the cost of $5000 makes it inaccessible to many struggling families. Troy is urging the government to subsidize the program to ensure more families can benefit from it. Unfortunately, conversations with both the State and Federal Government have yielded no significant progress in this regard.
When the participants finally reunite with their families at a marching out parade upon completing the program, parents and guardians witness the immediate positive change. There is unanimous agreement among them that if the government invests in programs like this now, it can prevent the need for greater expenditure later in an attempt to fix the growing youth crime problem.
In conclusion, the Sunshine Coast’s Veteran Mentors program offers an effective solution to Queensland’s youth crime crisis. Through a rigorous nine-day program led by military veterans, troubled teenagers experience a transformative journey. However, the high cost presents a barrier to many families. By subsidizing this program, the government can tackle the issue at its roots and ensure a safer future for Queensland’s youth.
