Mingle Mob gets $20k hand

Hedland’s Mingle Mob is set to be revived with a significant funding increase thanks to Fortescue Metals Group.

Run by community group Youth Involvement Council, Mingle Mob seeks children wandering the streets or living in bad home environments and tries to work with them to improve their lives.

Fortescue have donated $20,000 in emergency support after the program recently resumed services after some uncertainty due to insufficient funding.

Youth Involvement Council chief executive officer, Vicki-tree Stephens said the FMG emergency support funding was greatly appreciated by everyone involved.

“These are kids, young kids. If we don’t look after our kids then what hope to they have for the future? They’re worth investing in,” she said.

“When FMG gave us that cheque it almost brought me to tears. It was just a relief.”

YIC’s Mingle Mob program have had a history of financial struggles with the program running on a “skeleton budget” last year and faced possible closure by mid-year.

“We are always looking for money,” Ms Stephens said.

“All our other programs are sustainably funded but for some reason this vital program seems to struggle financially.

“We’re trying to give kids consistency, build trust and all of a sudden we’re not there. It’s just not fair on them.”

To ensure the sustainability for the crucial program, Fortescue facilitated discussions between YIC and other community organisations, including Karlka Nyiyaparli Aboriginal Corporation for continued funding and support for Mingle Mob.

Fortescue port and rail general manager Fernando Pereira said the company was committed to help the Hedland community.

“Everyone at Fortescue is committed to helping make Port Hedland a safe, vibrant and sustainable community,” he said.

“The broad community support for YIC and Mingle Mob is a shining example of Port Hedland’s community spirit. We are incredibly proud to support YIC and Mingle Mob, a terrific community service that provides an invaluable network of support for the youth of Port Hedland.”

In the past financial year the Town of Port Hedland also donated $15,000 to the Mingle Mob program and Ms Stephens said she was in discussions to gain further long-term funding from other sources.