This month the Complete Parts and @ The Coalface $500 Community Gift goes to Singleton PCYC, helping to sponsor its annual Blue Light ‘Halloween’ themed disco on Thursday October 31.

Monsters, witches, ghouls, ghosts and vampires are all invited to come along on October 31 as Singleton PCYC opens its doors to provide a safe (and spooky) place for kids to boogie.

The annual disco is just one of the many activities that the Police Citizens Youth Club NSW (PCYC) provides, all aimed at empowering young people to reach their potential in a safe, fun and friendly environment.

Established in 1937 by Police Commissioner William John Mackay, the PCYC is a partnership forged with the community to provide young people with a safe and positive alternative to the streets. 87 years later that vision has grown and PCYC NSW is one of Australia’s leading youth focused organisations.

Singleton Manager David Andrews said the organisation has come a long way from its humble beginnings.

“When the organisation started, it was centred on basketball, gymnastics, boxing and reading. Most PCYCs, Singleton included, still have a strong affiliation with those sports, though at Singleton we also have a strong focus on martial arts.

“However, there are so many more programs that we have introduced and one of those I would particularly like to highlight is our Safer Drivers program for Learner Drivers.

“Once a person has fifty hours in their logbook they can come along and do the course, which is run and sponsored by Transport for NSW. It costs $140 and involves a three-hour interactive session followed by a two-hour drive with a professional driving instructor.

“For those five hours of invested time, participants receive twenty hours off their logbook. More importantly, they receive valuable skills in defensive driving techniques, are taught about analysing situations to be able assess dangers, and they also learn strategies to mitigate risks.

“It’s not a program to teach people the basics of driving which is why students must already have fifty hours in their logbook, it is a program aimed at making them lifelong safer drivers.

“The statistics show that in the first twelve months after people come off their learners, they are at the highest risk of having an accident. This program is aimed at reducing those statistics.”

Whether it’s through sport, recreation, education, leadership, social responsibility or cultural programs, generations of Singleton’s youth have benefited from the activities that the Singleton PCYC offers, as well as the guiding hand provided by NSW Police and mentors.

To enquire about booking activities head to the Singleton PCYC website or drop in and say hello to the friendly team. www.pcycnsw.org.au/singleton/