THIS week is National Reconciliation Week and after 31 years working at the Swan City Youth Service (SCYS) in Midland, centre manager Graham Cox says genuine relationships are hugely important.

“Working with young people in a genuine environment is a great way to promote understanding and reconciliation,” Mr Cox said.

“It is also important to create a safe space for young people to talk about difficult issues as in my experience, troubled youth don’t always get the opportunity to express themselves.

“At SCYS we offer this opportunity as well as mentoring, leadership and cultural connections.”

Mr Cox said that in his early life he lived through some difficult times and could remember when verbal racism was quite prevalent.

“It is gratifying this seems to have improved a lot today,” he said.

Mr Cox, who received the 2026 Swan senior community citizen of the year award earlier this year, is humble about his achievements.

And when discussing his work, he is quick to point out that in his job he sees himself as a conduit for young people to improve themselves.

“When I first started out at SCYS I saw a lot of Aboriginal youth going to prison and no one seemed to be putting in much effort to turn this around,” he said.

“Quite a few years ago I received a $5000 grant to try and solve the problem and I made that money last five years.

“One of my main focuses at that time was reducing the idea among some troubled youth that going to prison was a rite of passage.

“I got together a mix of boys suffering poverty and hardship to make tapping sticks, do some storytelling and create fellowship.”

He said he thought many problems were caused by loneliness and depression - with the two closely linked.

“Young people can isolate themselves so I see our work a bit like putting building blocks together one at a time to help kids build up their confidence - I call it ‘mind travel’.”

Mr Cox said SCYS worked closely with Midland TAFE to run certificate I and II courses online.

“We also visit local high schools to teach the importance of employment, education, respecting women and mental health, among many other things,” he said.

The SCYS began as the Midland Community Youth Service in 1995 and had several locations before ending up at its current site in 2017.

National Reconciliation Week runs from May 27 to June 3.

Contact SCYS online.