They dedicate hours of their free time to helping young people improve their lives and their interaction with authority figures, but for Transit Officer Roi and Central Monitoring Unit employee Hohaia, it’s no sacrifice.
Right Track encourages young passengers to become more responsible for their own safety and to make positive choices when using public transport, as well as respecting security staff and TOs. It does this through a variety of diversionary and education programs including talks, workshops and urban art projects. Positive interaction with TOs and other security staff is a key focus.
Roi, who is based on the Armadale Line, regularly volunteers with Ignite Basketball. This Right Track-aligned program for young people holds evening basketball sessions with an education component to keep bored teenagers from engaging in negative behaviours.
“I got involved with it because it’s relevant to my interests – and I really enjoy basketball,” he said.
“Ignite Basketball also gives me the chance to see some of these kids in a positive and encouraging environment to realise that they’re just kids.
“I regularly see most kids hanging around train stations running amok without a positive influence, bored out of their minds slowly turning to drugs and alcohol to pass the time.
“I hope to have a positive impact by intervening early with these kids and giving them other options rather than jumping on the late trains causing trouble."
Hohaia, dedicates up to seven hours a day volunteering for various youth organisations. These include Community Youth and Training Services (a program that aims to get young people who have been disengaged from education their Year 10 certification) and Ignite Basketball.
“In the CMR we see it and hear it all day, what teenagers and doing and how they’re acting,” he said.
“From there I just wanted to find out why they’re doing this stuff, and what we can do about it.
“I’m hoping to do some more work with Right Track on just that.”
“You see a lot of kids on the camera that you recognise from other programs, but once I talk to them and they realise where I work, they’re cool.”
Roi said volunteering with local kids went a long way towards making interactions with them in the workplace easier.
“I hope to lead by example and break down those barriers with local young people. Then, instead of being a person that these kids just think wants to get them in trouble and lock them up, you can build up a good rapport.
“If I can reach out to a small group of them and communicate with them, that’s a job well done.”
For more information on upcoming events contact Bryony Parker on therighttrack@pta.wa.gov.au