Feature - Disengaged to Determined

Teens Take Control is the creation of Brenden Wilkins, a mentor, teacher, trainer, tireless advocate for our local youth, gym owner, and all-around impressive person.

When people talk about Brenden, their voices change. People clearly love him. His good works and passion for change are some of those ‘glimmers’ of good they tell us to look for in society if we ever feel overwhelmed or stressed by the negativity out there. 

Brenden is the kind of person who sees a problem and takes action; he creates positive change through Teens Take Control (TTC). The highly successful program is making a difference in the lives of teenagers.

Callum Rock is one TTC success story. “School just definitely wasn’t for me; I wasn’t bad, but I was disruptive. It got to the point I was facing getting kicked out of school for disruptive behaviour. 

“Through Brenden, I was able to stay in school for a further year and a half, and now I have a job in the mines as a heavy machine operator.

“It’s just an awesome program and I couldn’t think highly enough of it,” says Callum who also sees the difference it makes to other teens.

“To see a kid that started the program with no self-confidence, didn’t want to get out of bed, sat on the games, become this person jumping out of bed, making their breakfast and saying they don’t want to be late for TTC to their mum, well, I just cannot say enough about Brenden,” continues Callum.

“Programs like this work. Some of the kids aren’t even enrolled in school and most struggle with attendance. And yet they turn up here every day.”

Callum recommends any teens with the opportunity to do the program, “yes, 100% do it. They won’t ever regret working with Brenden.

“There is never going to be another duplicate of Teens Take Control as there is never going to be another Brenden.”

TTC helps youth at a crucial age that experts say is a key time to help kids that need it and reduces the likelihood of disengaged kids turning to crime.

The Australian Institute of Criminology report, ‘What works in reducing young people’s involvement in crime?’ says mentoring programs have promising results.

Many experts agree, like Anne Hollonds, the National Children’s Commissioner who has written and spoken at length on the powerful difference early intervention and support make with vulnerable youth.

 People like Brenden Wilkins are the important changemakers we need in our communities. 

 Brenden says TTC is here to make a difference. “Recent data reveals a significant number of teenagers in Queensland are at risk of disengaging from school and community activities, leading to adverse outcomes including mental health issues and involvement in crime.

“TTC, along with some other local organisations and schools, are implementing programs that combine physical fitness with life skills training, aiming to create a holistic approach to youth development.” 

TTC runs a variety of programs including a new Food Harvest program.

“We have taken a creative and proactive approach and partnered with Nambour State College to create the Food Harvest project. The Food Harvest project is an on-farm market garden based at Nambour State College and TTC. 

“This particular group was on the verge of disengaging, but by implementing selected components of our Building Better Men and Building Better Futures programs, these students will participate in the propagation, planting, crop maintenance, and harvesting of vegetables using chemical-free growing methods.

“Produce grown at the farm will be delivered weekly to the Nambour Community Centre and distributed by them at no cost to local community members doing it tough with the high cost of living.

“Not only will Food Harvest instill skills in these young people, allowing them to productively participate, but they feel a sense of value, belonging, ownership, and worth.

Food Harvest will also inspire these kids because they know what they are doing is making a positive difference to their community,” Brendan says.

One of the cornerstones of TTC is strength and fitness training. “Engaging in regular physical activity not only improves physical health but also plays a crucial role in enhancing mental well-being,” says Brenden.

“Studies have shown that exercise can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, which are prevalent among disengaged youth.” 

Another key element of TTC programs is the emphasis on structured and old-school discipline. “In today's fast-paced society, many teenagers lack the guidance and boundaries that are crucial for personal development.”

Brenden says respecting women is also a core value. “Perhaps one of the most vital components is the emphasis on respect of women within families and communities. 

“The young men are taught the importance of valuing women, not only as family members but as integral parts of society…encouraging young men to become advocates for equality and respect.”

And it is also about hope. As our local community and Queensland face rising rates of youth disengagement, TTC represents a beacon of hope. Like anything, programs like TTC cost money to run.

“Due to funding cuts, tragically, many of the students who were removed from the program reverted to old negative behaviours, with some even finding themselves entangled in the youth justice system,” shares Brendan.

“This regression not only places an additional burden on their families but also incurs significant costs to taxpayers, who ultimately bear the financial responsibility for youth incarceration and rehabilitation. 

“The future can look a lot brighter for its youth, paving the way for a more inclusive and respectful community.”

Local mum, Bonnie Munro, praises TTC.

“I was introduced to Teens first through my nephew. He struggled at school with ADD and dyslexia. He went to Teens and completed the course and he got into a cabinetry apprenticeship,” she says proudly. 

“Then my son started high school. He went with high hopes, but he began to really struggle. He has Inattentive ADD which means he gets distracted and looks to be distracted and not listening or interacting. In grade 8 I was starting to get phone calls that he wasn’t in class. 

“It is so draining as a parent to watch your kids be defeated every day and not like going to school, and you have to tell them they have to go.” She says she jumped at the chance to put him in Teens.

“After a year he was just thriving there. He works out every day, he has so much more confidence. They do small amounts of schoolwork at a time which is more suited to kids like Jack. 

“I know he would not be as confident as he is now without Teens. My son was starting to go down a road where he didn’t feel good enough, now he has confidence and he wants to do things in his life. We as a family will be forever grateful.” Bonnie would love to see Teens receive funding and help more kids.

“Brenden pays out of his own pocket, he uses his own gym equipment, he gives all the boys a uniform, he picks them up in the van, uses his own fuel and he even feeds them every day. Not once has he asked for a penny from any parent. He even built them a games room.”

Bonnie was recently involved in a food drive to help the program out as Brendan feeds the teens every day.

“When my boy was at Teens he actually got jumped in the park,” Bonnie shares. 

“After that happened, we were a bit worried about him being alone and what happens when he gets off the bus. What if these kids will be waiting for him?

“Brenden waited with him every single afternoon until I got there.”

Brenden just has their back, always.

You can support Brenden’s work and stay up to date with the TTC initiatives at Facebook ‘teenstakecontrol’ or the website teenstakecontrol.org