A conversation at a PCYC Crestmead Colour Run has helped turn one young person’s dream into reality, highlighting the far-reaching impact of community partnerships and the power of investing in young people.
PCYC Crestmead hosts two Colour Runs each year, popular events which rely heavily on volunteer support to help deliver a safe and memorable experience for local families.
Ahead of the club’s last Colour Run, PCYC Fleet and Procurement Manager Lyndelle Hutchinson, a regular visitor to PCYC Crestmead, rallied support from fleet management provider Summit Leasing, with five staff members from the company assisting.
PCYC Crestmead Youth Leadership Team member Jack joined staff and volunteers to help set up the course and activities. Jack also welcomed and briefed the Summit Fleet Leasing and Management staff, sharing his positive experiences with PCYC Crestmead and speaking openly about his ambition to become a motor mechanic.
Impressed by Jack’s enthusiasm and maturity, Summit staff encouraged Lyndelle to contact Motorama Springwood to explore potential apprenticeship opportunities on his behalf. An interview was organised, with PCYC Crestmead supporting Jack through interview preparation and logistics.
Jack successfully secured an apprenticeship and is now balancing his training with completing years 11 and 12 through The BUSY School Kingston.
His dream of becoming a motor mechanic is now well within reach.
PCYC Procurement Officer Lyndelle Hutchinson said the outcome demonstrates the strength of community partnerships and the lasting impact they can have on young people.
“We’re super excited to be able to help young Jack get closer to that goal. Motorama and PCYC have a great working partnership and it has been wonderful to watch them take one of ‘ours’ under their wing,” Lyndelle said.
“They are waiting for us to find them their next superstar to join Jack hopefully in the near future as part of the Motorama family. Jack has left quite an impression on the Summit Leasing team’s hearts and minds.”
PCYC Regional Manager Mike Coker said Jack’s journey reflects the value of collaboration between PCYC, industry partners and the broader community.
“This is an amazing example of collaboration and support of Jack’s ongoing development and journey with PCYC,” Mike said.
“I can’t wait to hear how he progresses in his apprenticeship and involvement with Crestmead.”
PCYC Crestmead Youth Club Program Manager Sergeant Chris Davey said the story highlights how meaningful opportunities can arise when community organisations and businesses come together to support young people.
“What began as a volunteer opportunity at one of our Colour Runs has become a pathway to employment for Jack,” Sergeant Davey said.
“We’re incredibly proud of everything he has achieved and grateful to Summit Leasing, Motorama and Lyndelle for seeing his potential and helping him take the next step towards his future.”
The outcome serves as a powerful reminder that every volunteer, every partnership and every conversation can make a difference in enriching young lives. For Jack, one day spent helping at a Colour Run has become the first step in building a successful career.
Through policing and mentorship, Sgt Chris Davey has made a positive impact on the young people all over Logan.
PCYC Crestmead’s Youth Club Program Manager, Sgt Chris runs youth programs After Dark, Drop In, Cadet Club, Team Up, Youth Leadership Team and CHAMP.
One of the most popular programs is Boxing After Dark, which attracts dozens of young people from across Logan each week.
Chris also leads PCYC Crestmead’s Youth Leadership Team (YLT) who are prolific in the Logan community as they work on developing the three pillars of club, community and self.
Chris said the YLT has formal debates about issues that affect them like e-scooters and the new social media laws, and they also visited state parliament, where they discussed Indigenous representation in Parliament as well as the social media ban.
“They have cleaned graffiti off club walls, helped the homeless, they play dodgeball and cook meals, they play ping pong and pool. We keep activities wide and varied to keep the young people interested,” Chris said.
At the recent ColourXplosion run fun, Jack from the YLT was chatting to some corporate partners in attendance who were so impressed with him they arranged for him to start an apprenticeship.
“It’s great to see a good kid getting an opportunity,” said Chris.
“Hopefully he’ll be a trailblazer who could open up doors for other young people.
“I hope this is the first step into a fulfilling and enriching career for Jack.”
Jack is a great example of YLT’s young people getting exposed to community and the great outcomes which can come from that.
Chris said there are so many reasons he loves his job.
“The kids keep me young! I’m 57, but still 27 at heart. I love watching them grow,” he said.
“Some of the kids spend more time here than at home, and some are here seven days a week so I embrace the opportunity to influence those young people positively.”
