Aunties Place: taking action where it counts to reduce youth crime
Barry was repeatedly locked up in and his future seemed bleak. Here’s how he turned it around…
He had been in and out of the system since primary school, caught in a relentless cycle of incarceration and reoffending that offered little hope for change.
“I didn’t think there was a way out,” Barry says bluntly.
It’s a familiar story in Palmerston, which once had more youth crime than anywhere in the Northern Territory. Today those rates are falling, and Barry’s story shows what’s making Palmerston safer.
Barry’s turning point came when he crossed paths with Aunties Place, a grassroots initiative in Palmerston led by Serena Dalton, CEO of Grassroots Youth Engagement. The program is the centrepiece of a community-driven effort to address youth crime by tackling its root causes.
For Barry, it became the lifeline he never thought he’d have.
With practical support and guidance, Barry began to see possibilities he’d never considered for himself beyond the revolving door of prison. Serena and her team, who call themselves “the Aunties,” didn’t just offer him advice, they provided a path forward.
“We help these kids with things like opening a bank account, getting their driver’s license, and finding employment,” Serena says.
“We prepare them for a future where they can make better decisions—not just for themselves, but for their families and their communities.”
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“Now, I feel like I’m on the right path,” Barry says. “The Aunties showed me there’s more to life than being stuck in the system.”
Barry is now thriving in a stable job at NTEX, a local business that partners with Aunties Place to offer at-risk youth real employment opportunities. His boss, Eileen, praises his hard work and determination.
“Barry is a good kid that just needed a second chance. He’s proof of what young people can achieve when they’re given a go to turn their lives around,” said Eilleen.
In many ways, Barry’s story mirrors Palmerston’s broader journey away from relying on prisons to solve the problem of rising crime.
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Aunties Place taking action where it counts to reduce youth crime
Once trapped in a cycle of petty crimes and incarceration, Barry found hope through Auntie's Place, a grassroots initiative in Palmerston.
This program, led by Serena Dalton, helps at-risk youth break free from the system by addressing the root causes of crime and offering mentorship, life skills, and employment opportunities.
Barry gained practical support, leading to a stable job, newfound confidence, and a brighter future.
Frustrated by the cycle of incarceration for many young people in the community, local leaders, businesses, and service providers came together to form Grassroots Action Palmerston. Their shared mission: stop crime before it starts.
Under Serena’s leadership, Aunties Place became the heart of this movement. More than just a drop-in centre, it’s a haven where young people can feel safe, respected, and supported. The Aunties work closely with teens and young adults on the brink, providing mentorship and resources to help them turn their lives around.
From practical guidance on life skills to job placements with local businesses, the program equips young people with tools to succeed and make better choices.
Aunties Place is about preparation. We’re preparing young people for a future where they can make decisions that benefit themselves, their families, and their communities.
Serena Dalton, CEO of Grassroots Youth Engagement
This approach isn’t about punishment but prevention. Grassroots Action Palmerston emphasises building self-sufficiency and accountability. By offering young people alternatives to crime, they’re breaking the cycle for good.
The impact is clear. Youth crime rates in Palmerston are falling, and many former offenders, like Barry, are emerging as role models.
By partnering with businesses from construction to hospitality, Aunties Place ensures these young people gain not just jobs but skills and confidence that carry them into the future.
For Palmerston, it’s a reminder that investing in its youth isn’t just about reducing crime—it’s about cultivating a community where everyone can grow and contribute.
Barry’s redemption is proof: when young people are given the right tools and support, they don’t just survive—they transform.