The Salvation Army’s Drive For Life program will be steered into Singleton by a $100,000 partnership with Glencore Coal Assets.
The driver-training program started in Newcastle last November and has allowed more than 25 disadvantaged youths to begin obtaining their driver’s licence.
Adam Purcell, The Salvation Army’s Oasis Youth Network Hunter manager, said Drive For Life initially provides professional driving lessons, followed by regular driving with volunteer mentors and financial support for driving tests and licence fees.
Mr Purcell said the program, aimed at the ages of 16 to 25, was a vital part of the Oasis’ training and support network.
He said obtaining a driver’s licence was often the key ingredient needed for young adults to enhance job prospects.
“With the need to get paid [driving] lessons these days [and] accrue 120 logbook hours, it’s very difficult for some families to be able to provide that if they don’t have vehicles or licenced drivers in the family,” he said.
“We had a cafe offer to take on a graduating student out of our hospitality programs and give them a job… but because that cafe wasn’t on a public transport route that young person couldn’t take the job.”
Shantell Martin, of Belmont, recently passed her provisional driver test after completing learner hours with Drive For Life Newcastle.
Ms Martin, 26, said having a mentor who could enable regular driving was integral to progressing past four years of rare, ad-hoc driving on her learner’s licence.
“The support that they gave me and the confidence that I have, I wouldn’t have my licence without them,” she said.
“It’s the most cruisy, easy-going experience. My confidence built in every lesson.”
Glencore’s community relations manager Allyn Hamonet said the organisation was pleased to be in a position to help fund the service.
“We’ve come on board specifically to help the expansion through to the Singleton area and to continue the [Newcastle] program,” he said.
“It’s been amazingly successful. We can all remember the day that we got our licence; it gives so much independence, confidence and opportunity.”
The Singleton program will be launched in coming weeks.
Drive for Life are seeking volunteer mentors in both locations. Applications can be made on the Oasis Youth Network website or by calling 4969 8066.
