Young parents get some help

YOUNG parents of the region now have somewhere to turn to for help, with funding for a new program announced last week.

A $299,996 cheque was presented to the Southern Youth and Family Services Incorporation and will fund the "Supporting Young Parents Service Illawarra and Shoalhaven Program" under Round Five of the Local Answers Program.

The service will provide parenting guidance and skills for mums and dads up to the age of 24.

Narelle Clay, CEO of Southern Youth and Family Services, was thrilled to receive the grant and said the money would contribute towards operating the program for young parents.

"The focus of the program is to intervene early as well as to give encouragement and access to mainstream services," Ms Clay said.

The service will be provided to members of the Illawarra and Shoalhaven areas, with the funding being used over several years.

Member for Throsby Jennie George, who presented the sizeable grant, voiced her belief that more young families were moving to the area due to housing affordability and were consequently leaving their support systems. Another key focus of the program was to extend the parents support system.

Ms George said the Albion Park Rail Neighbourhood centre was one of the service's locations and was an ideal location with easy accessibility.

"Having a presence here is great so young parents know they have somewhere to go," she said.