Every day we hear a new story about an armed robbery, burglary or a stolen vehicle.  

The effects of Gold Coast youth crime have left locals frustrated, frightened, and fed up.  

But, if anyone has cracked the code to helping these kids turn their lives around and reconnect with their community, it’s Joseph Te Puni-Fromont, the founder of Esuarve in Pimpama. 

I was recently afforded the great honour of visiting Esuarve alongside my colleagues the Member for Forde, Bert van Manen MP, and the Member for Moncreiff, Angie Bell MP, the Shadow Minister for Youth.  

‘Uncle Joe’ and the team at Esuarve deliver a range of programs for troubled youth, providing them with valuable life skills, personal development, education and employment pathways, all whilst giving them a sense of belonging within their Esuarve family. 

And it truly is a family. The mentors surround their participants with such genuine love and complete support – things that many of these young people have never experienced before.  

Most children have been referred to the program by local police or emergency housing agencies.  

I was so moved to see firsthand the way this program completely alters for the better the direction of less fortunate children’s lives. 

Over 230 kids have passed through their program and 90% of attendees have had employment opportunities created for them.  

Some of the participants even return to volunteer their time to aid new groups coming through the programs. 

As part of Esuarve’s ‘Big Brother Program’, each group has the opportunity to build a tiny home. At the end of the program, participants not only gain valuable qualifications in construction, but also learn the value of service when they donate their tiny home to homeless services.  

I was so honoured to join Esuarve’s most recent Big Brother cohort on their graduation day to see not only their remarkable construction work, but also the way this program has transformed these young people’s lives.