Former Air Force drill sergeant has turned his attention to Wagga’s youth crime crisis
THE RIGHT DIRECTION: Steve Barker has founded 'I am enough', a development and mentoring service to get at-risk youth off the streets and into jobs.
A FORMER Air Force drill sergeant has turned his attention to Wagga’s youth crime crisis as the city’s break and enter rate continues to climb.
Steve Barker claims there is a shortage of development and mentoring services across the region and he blames peer pressure for derailing a number of lives.
After volunteering at the Riverina Juvenile Justice Centre, Mr Barker has created a new business – I am enough – to transform troubled teenagers.
“Nobody leaves the womb and decides they want to be a criminal,” he said.
“A lot of these offenders have been brought up in terrible, negative environments and it’s about changing their values and perceptions of life.
“Many of my clients have found themselves in a bad group and that has landed them in detention.
“We need to stop that cycle.”
In a recent incident, Mr Barker assisted a father whose eight-year-old boy was “ruling the house and the streets”.
NEW BEGINNINGS: Mr Barker has been overwhelmed by the attitude of his young clients while volunteering at Juvenile Justice.