A new youth program is set to make a difference in Chermside by meeting young people where they are, providing mentorship, engagement, and an opportunity to develop their skills through sport. Take it to the Streets, an initiative targeting at-risk youth, is expanding its reach across North Brisbane, and Chermside is the next location on its map.
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The program aims to empower young people aged 13 to 18 by using 3×3 basketball as a tool for positive change. More than just a sport, basketball serves as a bridge—breaking down social barriers, boosting confidence, and fostering discipline. For those at risk of disengaging from education or engaging in anti-social behaviour, this initiative offers an alternative path towards personal and community growth.
Run by professional 3×3 basketball player Deola D’Brown, the program does more than teach technical skills—it provides consistent mentorship. Participants develop emotional regulation, community engagement, and mental wellbeing through structured activities and support networks. With over 130 young people already involved and an average of 22 attending each session, the impact is clear: youth engagement is rising, and lives are changing.
Chermside’s Turn to Shine
From 8 May to 26 June 2025, Chermside will host weekly sessions, ensuring that local youth have access to this free program without the need to travel far. By bringing the initiative directly into the community, organisers hope to reach those who might otherwise miss out on crucial guidance and support.
Youth Programs Unit Acting Inspector Lester Brooks emphasised the importance of such initiatives, highlighting how structured engagement significantly reduces the risk of young people reoffending or dropping out of school.
“Evidence shows that when disengaged or at-risk young people are engaged through programs and given the tools to change their behaviour, their risk of reoffending or leaving school reduces,” he said.
“This means not only a better future for our young people, but a safer community.”
Beyond immediate mentorship, Take it to the Streets could also provide young athletes with a pathway towards Brisbane 2032. The Olympic dream is closer than ever for some participants, with organisers already identifying outstanding talent among the program’s attendees.
“These young people could not only change their lives but become the local Olympians of our future,” D’Brown said.
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Funded through the Queensland Government’s Youth Development Partnership Fund, Take it to the Streets is among 26 programs designed to create long-term, positive community change. By investing in early intervention and grassroots programs, Queensland is strengthening its future—one young person at a time.
For more details about the program or how to get involved, visit Queensland Government’s Youth Development Partnership Fund.
Published 7-February-2025