THE YACWA youth awards finalists have been announced, and three City of Swan nominees are in the running.

James Audcent, finalist in the youth futures innovation for a sustainable future category, Casey Moller, finalist for the Minister for Youth’s most outstanding youth worker award, and the Rise Network, finalist in the youth focus sector collaboration category with Indigo Junction, spoke to Echo News about making it to the final round.

James runs Zentient, a tech consulting firm targeted at not-for-profits, and said he was proud of his work to bridge the technology gap between the for-purpose and for-profit sectors.

“In all the work we do, the goal is the same – helping organisations do more good with less. Sector-wide, everyone is struggling to meet the demand for their services, so this focus has never been more important,” he said.

James came into consulting through volunteering while at university, finding out how big the gap between sectors’ technology actually was in WA.

“The time I spent volunteering was eye-opening for me. I never could have imagined that they would be quite so far behind – a digital divide of between 10 and 20 years. It was confronting – especially knowing how many people rely on these critical community organisations. But I had the right skillset to tackle this challenge, so I knew I had to do something about it,” he said.

While nothing could beat seeing not-for-profits flourish because of his work, James said being a finalist for a youth award was a real honour.

“I hope my nomination can inspire other young people to look around them to see how they can create an impact in the community,” he said.

Casey, an engagement officer at Headspace Midland, echoed James’ feelings.

“My passion for this work stems from my own experiences navigating mental health challenges and being part of the queer community. I’ve faced various obstacles that have shaped my empathy and understanding, fuelling my desire to support others facing similar challenges,” she said.

“Being a finalist for the youth awards is a profound honour and a testament to the hard work and dedication I’ve put into supporting and empowering young people. It validates the impact of my efforts and highlights the importance of the work being done in the community.

“Winning the award would be a significant recognition of the achievements and progress made in advocating for and empowering youth. It would also serve as a platform to further amplify the voices of young people and continue driving positive change in the community.”

Midland organisations Rise Network and Indigo Junction were nominated for their collaboration on the Ken Moort program, a support program for youth at risk of becoming entrenched in the criminal justice system, designed to teach them life skills that will help them handle both professional and family situations.

Rise youth justice case worker Nicole McRostie said the collaboration between the two organisations has helped more at-risk kids stay on track for good futures.

“A collaborative approach across the east and metro services has allowed for shared knowledge and expertise from two leading not-for-profit organisations working together to enrich the lives of young people and reduce the risk of re-offending behaviour,” she said.

Announcement of the youth awards finalists has already helped raise awareness for the work being done to support at-risk youth in the local community.

“Recognising individuals and organisations working with at-risk youth is crucial because it validates their efforts, encouraging them to continue making a positive impact,” Ms McRostie said.

“This acknowledgement also raises awareness of the challenges these young people face, which can mobilise greater community support and resources.

“Ultimately, this recognition fosters a stronger, safer community by supporting those who help steer young people away from the justice system.”