Bundjalung Elder Bruce Walker and Lismore local Marshall Fittler formed Reach for the Stars in response to the high rate of young people engaged in criminal activity in the region.

“Jail is no place for anyone, especially our young ones,” Fittler said.

Reach for the Stars will run programs for people who can’t find work so that they can still be productive and live up to their potential.

“Boredom is often the cause of people getting into trouble. There’s an old saying that ‘the devil finds trouble for idle hands’ and that is often the case,” Fittler said.

To counter this, the association will run programs that give people the opportunity to learn new skills and that could result in their acceptance at TAFE, in an apprenticeship or in direct employment.

Reach for the Stars is searching for people to join the new association from all races and ages. In reward for being positively involved with these programs, people can participate in sporting events, musical events and excursions.