Carlton young gun Dylan Buckley is taking his leadership skills into the community, volunteering his time to help troubled young people find their way.

The 21-year-old Carlton defender last year spent time speaking with young people at the nearby Youth Justice Centre in Parkville.

Inspired by his work there, Buckley became involved with the YMCA’s Bridge Project, which provides support, training, and employment opportunities for young people at risk.

Carlton coach Mick Malthouse has been a patron for the Bridge Project since it began in 2005, being a big believer in the philosophy that everyone deserves a second chance.

Those chances are vital, with statistics showing the reoffending rate for young people in Victoria is more than 50 per cent, but just three per cent for Bridge Project participants.

Buckley has signed on as an official ambassador for the YMCA Bridge Project and will work with young people in a mentoring capacity, as well as delivering programs on leadership, nutrition and goal setting.

Want to help?

You can help the YMCA Bridge Project by providing employment opportunities for young people who are part of the program.

Or you could engage the Bridge Project’s Rebuild team, who have been carrying out maintenance work at Visy Park.

For more information contact Bridge Project Manager Mick Cronin on mick.cronin@ymca.org.au