A youth-focused education initiative run by Port Adelaide’s community arm, Power Community Limited, is set to expand in 2026 following increased funding from Credit Union SA. The additional financial support will allow the Empowered program to reach more students across South Australia, strengthening its focus on education around healthy relationships and gender-based violence prevention.
The program, which is delivered in partnership with Centacare Catholic Community Services and supported by the Government of South Australia, is designed to help young women develop confidence, self-awareness, and a deeper understanding of healthy relationships. It also addresses broader social issues linked to gendered expectations and family and domestic violence.
With the new funding boost, the program will expand its reach by an additional 500 students across ten schools in 2026. This comes after a strong year of growth in 2025, when more than 1,700 students across 29 schools participated in the initiative.
Organizers report strong outcomes from the program, with a large majority of participants stating that they gained a better understanding of gender-based violence and improved their ability to distinguish between healthy and unhealthy relationships. The initiative is delivered by staff from Power Community Limited alongside players from the Port Adelaide Football Club’s AFLW team, adding a mentorship and role-modeling component to the curriculum.
Credit Union SA has played a key role in enabling the expansion, continuing its investment in community programs focused on youth education and social wellbeing. The organization has emphasized its commitment to supporting young women and addressing issues related to domestic and family violence through early education and awareness-building.
Program leaders say the expansion reflects growing recognition of the importance of preventative education in schools, particularly in addressing long-term social challenges. The initiative is expected to continue growing in the coming years as demand increases for structured programs that support young people in navigating relationships and personal development.
