Report 19/20 creating a future where all young people can thrive.
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annual creating a future
report
19/20
where all young
people can thrive.
projectyouth.org.au
contents
02
our year in
04
welcome
08
about us
summary
10
our programs
30
our young people
32
our future
>> 12 early intervention
& prevention
>> 20 homelessness &
housing 36 38
We believe all young people, >> 24 education,
employment &
our team our finances
regardless of the disadvantage 42 44
training
they may face, deserve the thank you contact us
opportunity to thrive. Project Youth acknowledges the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people of this nation. We acknowledge their living culture and
continuing connection to the land on which we work. We recognise that this always was and always will be Aboriginal Land and
we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.
PROJECT YOUTH - 19/20 ANNUAL REPORT {01}
1,066 2,866 young people
237
young people
514
young people
19/20
young people with
supported through supported supported with
intensive support
early intervention into Education, housing
programs Employment &
Training
summary 94 61 20,691
young people employed community members reached
families & parents
through our programs through youth campaigns
we did this through
engaging
together we 61 23 2,753
supported courses and groups in Project Youth services community members in youth
3,734
schools and the community campaigns
young people to be
Helping the government
connected, safe,
57 90
recover over
achieving and healthy
volunteers supporting our
programs
paid staff $91,152
of debt owed by young people
{02} PROJECT YOUTH - 19/20 ANNUAL REPORT PROJECT YOUTH - 19/20 ANNUAL REPORT {03}
I
am so proud of how our staff and young people programs to young people facing disengagement
have navigated the last six months during the COVID from education and unemployment. It is with
Pandemic. Our CEO Jodie and her able management much gratitude to our corporate and philanthropic
team were very quick to put a comprehensive and supporters that we are able to deliver these important
detailed plan in place to continue delivering services programs to young people who often fall through the
to our young people through a range of virtual gaps of other mainstream services. Café Y needed
technologies and modifications. Staff came together to close for several months during lockdown but with
and offered to help and work in different parts of the thanks to the local community and supporters, it has
business and to put the young people ahead of any come back strong since reopening in July.
personal concerns they may have had. It has been
an anxious time for many, but there was a calm One of the most exciting things to recognise for
throughout the organisation. The board has been the 2019/2020 year was the introduction of a very
impressed with how the young people have been exciting Education program called Project Educate.
respectful of the new restrictions that were put in place The feedback so far is phenomenal. We are so proud
to comply with COVID safety guidelines and how they to have finally launched an alternative education
demonstrated a mature response to what has been program which we plan to expand further to cater for
an unsettling environment. more young people who are not suited to traditional
“
school education. We should be reminded of the
Although the focus of the last six months has been words of the great French writer, Victor Hugo:
on COVID, we cannot forget the achievements in the
I will.. talk to latter part of 2019 and early part of 2020 where we
family and friends
about youth
built on the changes from the previous year. The new
organisational structure has been very successful
encouraging a more collaborative approach to service
delivery and problem solving and increased teamwork.
Housing, which is our largest program, has continued
to provide much needed refuge and support to many
He who opens a
school door, closes
“
a prison.
young people. We have operated at full capacity
homelessness so throughout COVID in our refuges and the staff worked
throughout the lockdown period. With a likely increase
they can act too in demand as a result of the impact of COVID,
increasing our housing capacity is on the radar for us
in the future.
The team members delivering Early Intervention We believe developing the Education arm of Project
programs have come together as a new combined Youth has the potential to make a significant, positive
team with HYAP and have bonded well to deliver impact on young people who may not otherwise
what a year
their services. This has brought a diversity in skills, get an education, and the opportunity that brings
experience and thinking to deliver services to our for employment. Engagement in education is a key
young people. The Early Intervention team faced a factor in producing equitable social and employment
big challenge during COVID with the majority of their outcomes for young people, as well as being a
groups and programs needing to change significantly protective factor for well-being, so we continue to
it has been
in order to continue to serve young people. Their focus strategically on funding for this area of work.
2020 will go down in history as an innovation and skills were evident through their switch
to online drop-in, tele-counselling and remote service You will notice we have changed from an incorporated
extraordinary year of change for so delivery. association to a public company limited by
guarantee and we are now known as “Project Youth”.
many organisations and for Project
The social enterprise stream has also faced significant Our branding and website have also been updated
Youth this has certainly been the case. challenges with the economic impact of COVID on and we have had a stronger focus on fundraising and
employment and education for young people. This marketing to continue to build our reputation and
>>
work stream is an important feature of Project Youth’s showcase the amazing work of our staff
service delivery providing non-Government funded and volunteers.
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In the last month we have reviewed the five -year plan These stories illustrate the transformational nature of Project Youth’s work, which is all
made possible by Project Youth’s generous donors and supporters.
“
that we implemented last year, and I am pleased to
say the board has endorsed the strategy as still being
relevant and applicable. We will continue to develop
the housing, the early intervention and the social
enterprise streams.
our
Our partnerships have strengthened over the last year
and youth involvement has also strengthened with the “Project Youth enrolled me in a Hospitality
forming of a Youth Board called “The Rising Collective”. Course to help me gain some employable
skills, which I am so thankful for. I learned
young
We farewelled Board Member Jordan Ross in February about coffee-making, working in a kitchen,
and welcomed two new Board Members in April –
and even working as a waitress on the floor
Jennifer Rayner and Ben Wilke. The new members
of their restaurant. All of these things that I
have settled in well and are both making an excellent
would’ve had to learn on the job in a stressful
contribution to the Board of Directors. We also
people
environment I could learn at my own pace with
farewelled Gillian McGregor who had been a valued
member of staff for over 16years and has supported
supportive tutors and classmates around. I’ve
Project Youth to grow and develop to where it is today. also done a few shifts at Café Y and I think it’s
such an amazing supportive environment. My
On a much sadder note, one of our own, Diana, first shift was so nerve-wracking, I didn’t want to
suddenly passed away in March this year. She was let anyone down. But the staff were helpful and
a beautiful person and devoted to making young supportive and they wanted to see me succeed.
people’s lives brighter through her dedication to youth I didn’t feel like a liability, I felt like I had a place
work. She has been sadly missed by the Project Youth there.”
team.
In closing I must thank our volunteer community that To the young people we “I feel hopeful. My relationship with my dad has
gotten better, I’m feeling more confident in my
has increased during the last year and our wonderful
serve, you are front and
skills to eventually get a job, and the support
staff team who really stepped up when we needed that Project Youth is giving me makes me feel
them to during COVID, as well as their ongoing delivery
like I can do anything. I’m so thankful for them.
of support to young people facing disadvantage. Your
centre of everything we do
They changed my life around”
efforts during a very difficult time has enhanced our
great reputation and has been greatly appreciated.
and every decision we make.
You continue to inspire us.
“
“No one had ever been there for me before until
I was supported by Project Youth. I am not sure
where I’d be now without them!”
“I honestly think I wouldn’t be here anymore if
it wasn’t for project Youth. I was desperate and
they gave me hope.”
On reflecting on the last year, I am pleased Project
Youth is continuing to provide pathways for young
people to be connected, achieving, safe and healthy.
Louise Birnie
Chair of Board of Directors
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our vision our purpose
A future where all Creating opportunities
young people can for young people
thrive. 12-25 to determine
their own future.
our outcomes
Connecting Sense of belonging and connection
Safe Free from violence and harm
Healthy Mental and physical well-being
I will.. show Achieving Access to opportunities and development
young people that
their past does our strategic priorities
1. Strengthen Our 3. Be a Catalyst for Social
not define them! Foundations Change
2. Increase our Impact 4. Scale and Grow Effectively
about us our values
At Project Youth we believe all young people, as well as being delivered collectively with partner
regardless of the disadvantage they may face, organisations and the community. PARTNER INTEGRITY RESPECT QUALITY INNOVATION
deserve the opportunity to thrive. We work with young SHIP
people aged 12-25 across Sutherland Shire, Georges We have a five-year strategy which builds on our
River and Bayside areas, offering programs to be 28 years of service to young people and details our
connected, safe, achieving and healthy. Our work is ambition and plans. You can access the strategy at
based on trauma informed and relational approaches, www.projectyouth.org.au
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our programs
Please see the following pages for a description of
each program and key highlights from 2019/20
T
his year has seen a significant impact on our trauma responsive and collaborative, to ensure our
way of life, the way we run our programs and impact is sustainable and life changing for young
demand for our services. From the devastating people. At Project Youth we have one integrated
bushfires over summer and the preceding drought, service with a ‘no wrong door’ approach, ensuring all
through to COVID-19 and the dramatic changes to our young people get the help and support they need,
economy, no one has been left unaffected. Our staff, either directly through Project Youth, or through a
volunteers, supporters, partners and the young people referral to another appropriate service.
we work with have all been impacted in some way
throughout 2019/20. Despite this significant impact, we A young person, family member, friend or professional
have continued to deliver our services and support for can refer a young person to any of our programs and we
young people who face disadvantage. We were able will engage with the young person to assess what they
to ensure all our programs remained operational and need and how we can best support them. Many young
utilised the opportunities to test, innovate and make people involved with Project Youth will access more than
use of new technology in order to continue to offer one of our programs. Using our relational approaches,
high quality support and care to the young people we they will be supported to achieve their full potential. All
serve. our programs throughout 2019/20 were committed to
young people achieving one or more of our outcomes of
Project Youth remained dedicated to delivering being connected, safe, achieving and healthy.
programs which are evidenced-based, needs led,
OUR PROGRAMS ARE STRUCTURED INTO THREE TEAMS:
I will.. have
early
1
intervention &
prevention
2
housing &
homelessness
3
education,
employment
& training
conversations
with friends and
Programs that intervene Programs that prevent Programs and courses
early to prevent, reduce
and stop escalation of
problems.
homelessness and
accommodate young
people from crisis through to
independent living (or return
providing pathways
to employment and
education. This is through
our two social enterprises,
young people!
to their family/carers home if Cafe Y and Labour Y, and
appropriate/safe). our alternative education
school.
{10} PROJECT YOUTH - 19/20 ANNUAL REPORT PROJECT YOUTH - 19/20 ANNUAL REPORT {11}
early
1 intervention
& prevention
T
he Early Intervention team were significantly Our early intervention programs in 2019/20 included:
impacted by COVID-19, with more than half of
our programs unable to run due to restrictions
put in place. Innovative, creative and resourceful staff A) COMMUNITY PROGRAMS:
shifted our service delivery, with the use of technology,
to provide new opportunities for connection and In 2019/20 we ran the Beats in the ‘Burbs initiative
ongoing support for the young people we serve. The which was a very successful youth led music program.
Early Intervention team continued to ensure young Young people, with support from a youth worker, were
people felt safe and supported to manage the issues guided through the steps required to plan, advertise
they were experiencing and supporting young people and successfully run live music events. The young
to navigate the uncertainty and volatility they faced people were provided mentoring and support from
during a global pandemic. professionals in the industry with a focus on increasing
young people’s skills across managing performances
Early intervention is a key area of work as it ensures and events. Young people were both behind the
young people’s problems are identified early and scenes, and as performers, showcasing the varied
prevented from escalating, whilst also providing talents they had to ensure a successful event. One
resilience and skills to successfully transition into young person used the skills they had learnt in the
adulthood. Our early identification programs reduce program to run a successful fundraiser event for the
risk factors in a young person’s life that limits their bushfires.
social and economic opportunities, negatively impacts
their development, and increases the likelihood of
health problems (physical/mental), exploitation, B) PEER EDUCATION:
criminal involvement and drug and alcohol use. These
programs also increase protective factors across Play Safe Summer Survival is a peer education and
individual, family and community characteristics that prevention program focussed on increasing young
can help mitigate the risks and increase a young people’s knowledge around mental health, sexual
person’s overall well-being and ability to thrive. health and safe sexual practices.
Depending on the risks and needs identified, our
programs can offer a range of support from universal The program uses trained young peer educators
prevention through to intensive support. delivering short surveys with key messages to engage
young people in conversations about their physical,
>>
mental and sexual health. The program is run with
support from NSW Department of Health and is a
{12} PROJECT YOUTH - 19/20 ANNUAL REPORT
>> PROJECT YOUTH - 19/20 ANNUAL REPORT {13}
key strategic program for reducing the incidence of The 12 month mentoring program aims to engage
sexually transmitted infections amongst young people. young people with a positive role model external to
services/family, who can provide positive support
and assist young people to engage positively
C) SCHOOL PROGRAMS: within their local community. Both programs are
based on strengths focussed and trauma informed
We run a range of programs in schools including approaches, which aim to embed continuity of care
healthy relationships, couch surfing, anger for young people through Project Youth services into
management, alcohol and drugs, and gender-based independence. COVID had a considerable impact on
groups. The youth workers provide both group and one the ability to complete any new matches over a six
on one programs for young people who are identified -month period due to social distancing requirements,
by teachers within their schools as needing additional however we continued to engage with both our
supports. The program is designed to support young volunteer mentors and young people until we could
people who are at risk of disengaging from education create matches.
to remain in school and improve their attendance.
The program was able to continue during COVID with
many of the young people shifted to more intensive E) FITNESS PROGRAMS:
one on one support and online groups.
This year Project Youth again secured funding to run
two concurrent fitness programs, in collaboration with
D) HYAP: the PCYC. The programs were funded by both Cronulla
Sutherland Sharks and the Doing-It-Differently grant.
HYAP (Homeless Youth Assistance Program) continues COVID meant we needed to cease the in-person
to work closely with young people 12-16 years of age element of the program, pivoting the sessions to
who are at risk of homelessness. At Project Youth, online delivery with a personal trainer providing group
HYAP encompasses the Mentoring Program and the sessions via zoom.
Youth and Family Support Program. The mentoring
program trains volunteer mentors who are matched to The aim of these programs is to work in partnership
work with young people supporting them to feel safe, to provide assistance and support to young people
increase their connections, achievement and healthy at risk of disengaging from school and having
lifestyles. Our family support program works intensively contact with the criminal justice system. The aim is
with young people to support re-connection with to increase positive relationships between young
families, wider community networks or into long term people and available support services, increase
transitional housing. positive behaviours and increase school attendance.
The program has a strong focus on fitness and
encouraging the young people to actively participate
in their community. The young people are picked up
The 12 month mentoring
by staff from their home one morning per week of the
school term between 6am and 7am and taken to a
central location. The young people then engage in an
program aims to engage
hour of fitness between 7am and 8am with a qualified
fitness instructor, supported by volunteer mentors.
After the fitness the young people are provided with a
young people with a positive
healthy breakfast before being transported to school.
During the term additional sessions were organised
which were designed to encourage participation,
role model ...
create challenge, encourage team cohesiveness and
>>
provide additional education.
{14} PROJECT YOUTH - 19/20 ANNUAL REPORT PROJECT YOUTH - 19/20 ANNUAL REPORT {15}
through this scheme. Project Youth work with the
F ) E A R L Y I N T E R V E N T I O N H) OUTREACH: I) DROP-IN: young people and relevant authorities to arrange
YOUTH AND FAMILY and supervise work that can be used to reduce and
The Project Youth street outreach is a program that We continued to provide structured drop-in programs remove debts for young people. This year the work
SUPPORT: takes a youth service to young people, where they are at both our Menai and Miranda centres 2-3 days has included gardening, painting, furniture moving,
located. The program aims to meet young people in per week through-out 2019/20. During COVID, we cleaning, decorating and demolition. One young
Early intervention case work provides young people the community who may be at risk or engaging in at shifted to an online drop-in format to ensure ongoing person supported through Project Youth, Labour Y and
and their families support, information and advice risk behaviour, and provides them with information and engagement and connection for young people during the WDO scheme, has now set up his own business as
with a focus to minimise the escalation of issues. The advice to keep them safe, healthy and connected. The this particularly volatile and uncertain period of time. a furniture removalist.
HYAP Youth and Family Support worker has a specific Outreach Worker provides a direct service to young These drop-in sessions provided an opportunity for
focus on young people 12-16 years who are at risk people that is non-judgemental, non-confrontational, young people to engage in a youth service, to feel
of homelessness. The remaining Early Intervention and trauma informed, supporting young people who safe, connect with other young people and speak with
support is delivered for a broad range of young people are sleeping rough, hanging out in the streets or local youth workers for advice and support if needed. These
including young parents, parents of adolescents, and parks, disengaged from services, engaged in drug programs are an effective way to engage young
individual young people aged 12-24. The workers and alcohol misuse, at risk, and/or involved in the people who have not previously been involved, are
provide targeted early intervention to young people criminal justice system. The program intersects with resistant to involvement, or had negative experiences
through increasing social participation, running both our drop in and Court Support programs, as many in other programs or services. This is an area of work
parenting programs, increasing family capacity, and young people are involved across all three programs. that is very valuable but currently unfunded even
providing information, advice, and intensive support. This supports the relationship development with the though evidence shows the need and outcomes
The support is focussed on the de-escalation of young people that allows for more individualised case achieved through these programs. Project Youth will
issues, identifying appropriate community support, management and the ability to support young people continue to source funding where possible to provide
embedding protective factors and building resilience. to transition with successful outcomes regarding their drop-in programs in the future.
Key highlights included the continuation of the Y safety, health and wellbeing. The program cannot work
Connect Program, which reduced social isolation of in isolation and depends on effective partnerships with
young people and created lasting connection and police, council and other local stakeholders, to identify J) COURT SUPPORT:
friendships for the participants. new areas where at risk behaviours are occurring,
to fund and to provide opportunities for increased Court support remains an integral pathway of early
engagement across the region. intervention support for young people involved in
G ) A D O L E S C E N T A N D Children’s Court. Project Youth provides young people
FAMILY COUNSELLING involved in the criminal justice system access to a
support worker who can connect them with relevant
PROGRAM:
The Outreach Worker
services and resources, including legal aid, in-court
support, referral, advice and support. Court support
The Adolescent Family Counsellor (AFC) provides initiates the building of positive relationships with
provides a direct service
support to young people and their families where young people and is a key way to engage young
there are concerns or issues with communication, people with multiple and complex needs to other
dysfunction or relationship breakdown. This includes support services/programs both internally to Project
to young people that is
providing parents and teenagers with support to live Youth or to external providers.
together, improve their trust, respect and support to
negotiate the difficulties that may arise on the path
from childhood to adulthood. The AFC works with
the whole family to rebuild relationships through non-judgemental, non- K ) W O R K D E V E L O P M E N T
ORDERS (WDO):
open communication, increasing awareness from
parents about their young person and their feelings,
and working to negotiate ways for the family to live confrontational, and trauma All young people with accumulated debt, and who
are case managed by Project Youth, continue to have
together more harmoniously. During COVID, the AFC access to the Work and Development Order Scheme
transitioned to online tele-counselling successfully
with families responding well to the ongoing support.
informed... (WDO). Under the WDO scheme ‘disadvantaged
people who have accumulated fines can clear their
debts by undertaking activities which benefit them
and their local community’.
>>
Project Youth continue to support all young people
already engaged with our programs with their debt
{16} PROJECT YOUTH - 19/20 ANNUAL REPORT PROJECT YOUTH - 19/20 ANNUAL REPORT {17}early intervention & early intervention & drop-in
family support 1397 young people supported
prevention highlights 77 young people supported 97 drop-in sessions
3
completed
100% ofimproved
group programs
completed young people
community program mentoring
30% opeople
their
5 lproduced
f the remaining young
48
connections
ive music events young people supported
100% ofimproved
maintained safe
52% new referrals
accommodation young people
396 ytheoung 20% asupport
their safety
people attended (previously unknown) ccessed mental health
14 nmentors
events
23 young people were
ew matches with
50% connected with outreach
25 ymental
engaged in development employment services or
of the events oung people had maintained employment 364 young people provided with
f young people
health diagnosis
100% oengaged 100% ofgroups
support, advice and information
14%
young person
had increased young people in improved their 2% of young people transitioned to
connections foster/supported care connections case management
arrangements
98%
26% of young people provided with
increased their support to be safer
peer education connections counselling
94% increased their safety
24% of young people provided with
20 peer educators employed 97 families were supported support regarding drug and alcohol
26% ipeople
ncrease in young 90% increased their
achievements 106
young people supported 96% of young people more
connected with Project Youth
3
engaged
100% oreported
parenting courses were provision
f young people delivered
85% ofanfamilies
an increase in
knowledge Muscle Up/Fit 4 Life reported WDO
100% oanf young
increase in health,
people reported
increase in safety 53 young people engaged connection and safety
64 young people supported
24
mentors engaged 80% successfully completed
in supporting young court support their WDO
school program 80% young
people
100% showed 352 young people supported
people connected
29 groups run in schools
improved health to additional support in
outcomes
81% f young people provided
o Project Youth
7 high schools 100% stayed connected in the
information and support
$293,401 paid off to date through
100%
for legal issues
program Project Youth
75%+ ocourt
schools repeat involvement
f young people attending
are already known
to Project Youth
{18} PROJECT YOUTH - 19/20 ANNUAL REPORT PROJECT YOUTH - 19/20 ANNUAL REPORT {19}Our Youth Homeless and Housing Programs in
2019/20 included: B ) S E M I - I N D E P E N D E N T
HOUSING (THE
HUT, HENRY’S AND
homelessness
A ) C R I S I S R E F U G E S ( T H E
JACARANDA COTTAGE):
2
BRIDGE AND PENNY’S):
Project Youth have two crisis refuges called The Project Youth have three semi-supported housing
& housing
Bridge (in Sutherland Shire) and Penny’s (in Georges programs - The Hut, Henry’s and Jacaranda Cottage.
River). Both refuges support young people in crisis by We provide 12 beds across our semi-supported
providing short term accommodation and intensive provision where young people can be accommodated
trauma informed support to move from crisis to semi- and supported for up to 12-18 months. The Hut and
supported services, return to their family home or Henry’s are managed internally by Project Youth staff
into transitional housing. This prevents homelessness, while Jacaranda Cottage is commissioned by Project
provides living skills and access to services to support Youth, and managed through Kingsway Community
social and economic stability. Some of the key areas Care. All young people in our semi-supported
Y
the staff work on with the young people includes provision are supported to transition to independence
outh homelessness is an issue in Australia that this period, especially where we had no vacancies to health (physical and mental), family restoration, through an individualised case plan.
is continuing to grow. In the local geographical house them. education, employment, community connections,
areas (LGA) that Project Youth work, there are practical skills, confidence building, accessing The young people participate in structured activities
1,628 homeless people recorded of which 24% are In this reporting year, Project Youth supported young identification and benefits, and increasing resilience. to develop their life skills, including house meetings,
>>
young people. people in our housing program to: Each refuge can accommodate five young people at a group activities and Life Hacks.
time for up to three months.
Project Youth’s housing programs start with the • Access housing (internal and external)
key element of early intervention and prevention • Return to family/build better relationships with
to try and circumvent the risk of homelessness, as family
This prevents homelessness,
well as providing crisis refuges, semi-independent
housing, and transitional housing. All young people
• Access services to support risk factors i.e.
Income, MH, Drug and Alcohol, Crime
in our housing and accommodation are provided
•
provides living skills
with trauma-informed case support to address Remain engaged in education/improve
the underlying and complex issues that cause attendance
homelessness, including drugs, alcohol, mental
• Engage in education, training and/or
and access to services to
health issues, family breakdown, violence, poverty,
employment
unemployment, gambling, abuse, neglect and/or not
in education. • Improve living and life skills
•
support social and economic
Maintain a tenancy and co-tenant
During COVID all of our accommodation services
continued delivering our full service provision with
• Move into independence
stability.
no reductions or changes to our offer. There was
no decrease in capacity and we held no vacancies One key thing that housing staff identify as a highlight
throughout the COVID lockdown period within of their year is seeing young people transition through
our refuges. Our staff also implemented new and our housing program and leaving in a much healthier,
innovative ways of staying connected with young safer and more connected place than when they first
people in our semi-independent and transitional entered. We acknowledge that not all young people
accommodation, including using zoom to conduct achieve medium- or longer-term housing, however
workshops and meetings; phone calls; FaceTime when they exit from Project Youth, we recognise the
sessions; text messaging and food/emergency significant impact that the majority of young people
supplies drop offs to maintain support during the experience, including new skills, improved behaviours,
lockdown period. A housing staff member was also reengaging in education, addressing their mental
allocated to focus on working externally with any health, and improved community connections.
young people who contacted Project Youth for support
during the COVID lockdown period. We could then we
supported as many young people as possible during
{20} PROJECT YOUTH - 19/20 ANNUAL REPORT PROJECT YOUTH - 19/20 ANNUAL REPORT {21}homelessness &
one week to provide spending money for every young
C) TRANSITIONAL HOUSING: person in our crisis accommodation to receive a
$25 voucher for bedroom furnishings to make their
The Transitional Housing program supports young space ‘feel like home’. For many young people arriving
housing highlights
people aged between 16-24 years experiencing to the refuge with only the clothes they had on, this
homelessness, with accommodation and support voucher gave them a sense of dignity, ownership and
for up to 18 months. We provide housing options belonging. For the first time, these young people had
across the Sutherland Shire, Georges River and a room of their own in a safe home. The campaign
Bayside Local Government Areas. The transitional was a success and we are now able to provide
housing program also assists young people through vouchers to each young person when they first enter
individualised support plans to address personal,
social and educational barriers that may prevent them
from accessing the private rental market. Through
our refuges. One young person said it was “the first
time I had something that was just mine” and another
said “it helped me settle in especially as one of the
514 young people were
supported in our housing
100% ofor young people gained
improved their living
consultations with young people, the team continue to workers came shopping with me.” We plan to embed funded programs skills
158 young 107
review and update processes to ensure the program this campaign each year into our calendar so we can
is working effectively with young people from referral continue to support young people to ‘feel at home’. people young people were
and intake through to outcomes and transitioning were provided with supported through
from our service. We also continue to focus on The 17th April 2020 was Youth Homelessness accommodation external case
relationship building with other youth services in the Matters Day, aimed to raise awareness for youth
66 young
management or
Sutherland Shire and St George areas to ensure that homelessness, particularly hidden homelessness people were advocacy
young people have the right support at the right time, such as couch surfing. Our campaign set out to tell
housed in our crisis
from the right service. young people - YOU MATTER. Project Youth staff were
refuges *Specialist Homelessness Services
videoed reading stories of young people who faced
D ) R E N T C H O I C E S U B S I D Y
homelessness and these were played through our
social media platforms. This campaign was aimed at 17 young people were
supported in semi-
FOR YOUTH: raising awareness of the issues facing young people
independent housing
who are homeless and highlighted the success that is One young person said it was
59
Rent Choice Subsidy for Youth is a Department of possible with trauma informed support and supported
Communities and Justice product providing time-
limited financial assistance and support to young
housing options. We also asked for donations to give
a young person food, access to internet and housing
young people were
supported through “the first time I had
people who have had difficulty finding suitable
housing to assist them to access appropriate,
support, which was particularly important during
COVID. Young people were involved in the design and
transitional housing
something that was just mine”
affordable and safe housing in the private rental development of these campaigns ensuring that lived
market. Financial assistance is provided as a experience is central to everything we implement.
rental subsidy for up to three years following the
16
establishment of a private tenancy.
oung people were
y
Project Youth is a partner agency for the program, referred into Rent Choice
supporting young people to refer into the program. campaign highlights Subsidy for Youth
Once accepted we work with the young person to find program
a suitable property and develop an individualised plan
8,549 community members
with a focus on supports required to sustain a tenancy
and improve individual training and employment
reached through the
campaign
107 young people moved
on from Project Youth
outcomes. 85% of the referrals made into the program
1,663
accommodation in this
by Project Youth staff in the financial year were exiting
community members period
our transitional housing program.
engaged in the
E ) Y O U T H H O M E L E S S N E S S
campaign 80% oftransitioning
young people
from
CAMPAIGNS: $5,183 raised to support
young people facing
Project Youth had a
positive outcome
During Christmas 2019, we ran our #FeelsLikeHome disadvantage
campaign. The campaign aimed to raise $3750 in
{22} PROJECT YOUTH - 19/20 ANNUAL REPORT PROJECT YOUTH - 19/20 ANNUAL REPORT {23}been the difference to the young person obtaining
and sustaining employment, instead of repeating the
cyclical natures of generational unemployment.
Labour Y strives to not only build on a young person’s
education,
3
employability skill, but also strives to connect
young people to wider community groups and
intergenerational programs, facilitating employment
skill workshops. In the 2019-2020 financial year, 116
employment &
young people completed courses through Labour
Y, along with 39 young people who obtained and
sustained employment with the support of Labour Y.
training
CAFÉ Y:
Café Y provides coffee with a conscience. It is a
vibrant community café that provides training
T
and work placements for young people who face
he Education, Employment & Training (EET) and safety. It is also important to recognise that disadvantage, and would not be able to thrive without
programs this year were significantly impacted mainstream schooling is not always the best pathway support. The Café is based in Menai, serving quality
by COVID-19, including a short-term closure of for all young people and multiple alternative pathways food and coffee to local people and businesses, either
our Café, shifting support for young people online, need to be offered to ensure all young people have on site at the Café or through catering to meetings
and changing the way we support young people the opportunity to thrive. and events. Café Y gives 60+ young people per year
who became unemployed due to the restrictions the opportunity to obtain the training and trauma-
and lockdown periods. Despite the challenges, staff At Project Youth we have two social enterprises, Café Y informed support required to achieve a Certificate
in the EET team maintained a high quality of care and Labour Y, to specifically support young people on II in hospitality and pathways to further training and
and support for young people facing disadvantages. pathways to education and employment opportunities, employment opportunities and traineeships within the
They ran additional courses and kept young people in conjunction with a hospitality program and a range cafe. Café Y is very community focused and has many
engaged in online learning. Through support from of work related courses and training. This year we also regular community groups visiting for coffee, cake
funders we were also able to purchase technology for commenced our alternative education program called and lunch. During COVID lockdown the Café closed
young people who did not have the ability to study Project Educate, which is detailed below. for three months which provided the opportunity to
from home without Wi-Fi, laptops and equipment. modernise the space and create a more youth friendly
As with all our programs, young people are provided welcoming place for the community and young
Census statistics show there are 4,413 unemployed with trauma-informed support to ensure any people. The menu was updated and we increased
young people across the local government areas that barriers to achievement are removed, so they form the amount of volunteers supporting our endeavour to
Project Youth covers, which is 18% of the total youth connections that continue to support them once they provide young people a pathway to employment while
population. However, current predictions are showing have exited our programs. benefitting the local community.
that this will increase as young people have been support staff who assist with transportation, food,
disproportionately impacted from job loss during Our EET Programs in 2019/20 included: clothing, medical appointments and support for
COVID, due to the industries they were employed in HOSPITALITY PROGRAM: juvenile justice issues. Not only do the young people
and their employment status. gain a qualification in hospitality, but they also
LABOUR Y: The Hospitality program at Project Youth supports build strong friendships, develop social skills, gain
A young person is unlikely to break the cycle of young people facing disadvantage to achieve a confidence and self-esteem. Project Youth also assists
disadvantage and homelessness without access to Labour Y’s core aim is to support young people facing Nationally Recognised Certificate II in Hospitality. The with the transition and support to further education
education, employment and training (EET). EET is a disadvantage within the Sutherland Shire, Georges 8-week course provides hands on practical work opportunities, training and employment once the
key determinant of a young person achieving social River and Bayside Council areas, into sustainable experience and training classes for students to attain young people have graduated.
and economic goals, exiting homelessness and employment and educational programs. This is achieved the skills to work in the hospitality industry. 2019/2020
sustaining long term financial stability. Early school through the support of staff; sector and corporate saw a reduction in one of the courses due to COVID
leavers are less likely than their peers to have the skills, partners; local businesses and local education and TAFE closure for one term.
confidence and positive role models to obtain and facilities. Labour Y has also provided resources to
>>
sustain employment, which impacts significantly on young people such as food, appropriate clothing and The young people in the program also benefit from
other areas such as health, well-being, connections transportation to and from work. This, at times, has individual case management from Project Youth
{24} PROJECT YOUTH - 19/20 ANNUAL REPORT PROJECT YOUTH - 19/20 ANNUAL REPORT {25}PROJECT EDUCATE: YOUTH CAN DO IT
CAMPAIGN:
Engagement in education is a key factor in producing
equitable social and employment outcomes for young Our #YOUTHCANDOIT campaign focussed on the
people, as well as being a protective factor for well- Labour Y branch of Project Youth. Labour Y focusses
being. It will provide the opportunity for young people to on the education, employment and training of young
thrive in society, thereby avoiding poverty, homelessness people in our community. With high rates of youth
and unemployment. unemployment nationwide, this has never been more
important.
This year we developed and implemented a new
initiative called Project Educate which is an alternative Interviews were conducted with Labour Y partners,
education school for young people disengaged from asking them about the benefits of hiring young people
mainstream school or education. Young people will be for their business. One partner commented, “Not only
engaged through flexible learning, hands on practical will it be uplifting and rewarding, but young people
skills, trauma-informed support, mentoring and transition give a fresh perspective to your work”.
into further education, employment and training.
We then went on to further highlight what a job and
meaningful employment means to young people
in our network, and shared stories of young people
whose lives have been transformed by Labour Y.
... we developed and implemented a Young people said “A job is a reason to get out of bed
in the morning, it gives me financial security for my
future and a roof over my head”.
new initiative called Project Educate
We also addressed the main barriers to employment
which is an alternative education
for the young people we work with (mainly the lack
of experience and disadvantage) talking about
how Labour Y supports young people to overcome
school for young people disengaged
these barriers and improve employment prospects
by attending our free training courses. Through the
Labour Y program, young people are also assisted
from mainstream school or education.
with job readiness in the way of emergency food relief,
interview clothing and transport to interviews.
The campaign raised money for Labour Y, encouraged
businesses to partner with Labour Y to hire young
people, and raised community awareness about the
The school will operate five days per week, with built in rates of youth unemployment and the impact it has on
>>
practical sessions, career development and activities a young person’s future.
outside the learning environment. All students will be
supported through distance education to achieve
their schooling qualifications. The young people will
be engaged through existing partnerships that Project
Youth already has with key stakeholders, including
schools, police, legal aid, courts, councils, DCJ and
community health.
{26} PROJECT YOUTH - 19/20 ANNUAL REPORT PROJECT YOUTH - 19/20 ANNUAL REPORT {27}education, employment &
training highlights
Labour Y Café Y
190 young people supported
through Labour Y
46 oung people completed
y
service hours through
37 provided
Café Y
job readiness
training 2 yatoung people employed
61 young
Café Y
people trained
in specialist industry
courses
100% ofemployed
young people
went on to
18
further education
young people provided
with a qualification e.g.
RSA/RCG
92% had increased
connections
15 courses provided 85% achieved their goals
3
through Project Youth
volunteers supported
62% ocompleted
f young people
courses
Café Y
hospitality project educate
39 young people were 46 young people engaged
in course
Approval received through Dept of
Education to run the school
supported into
campaign
employment
3 courses completed First young person enrolled
78% ofachieved
young people
through EET
12,142 community members
reached through the 74% ograduated
f young people oung person progressing well to
Y
completion of ROSA
programs campaign
7
Labour Y partners 1,090 community members 65 went on to further
education or
Young person previously out of
education for 3 years
engaged in the
100% attendance
engaged to employ
employment
young people campaign
$5050 ryoung
aised to support 91% hconnections
ad improved
100% improvement in health
100% improvement
people facing
85% achieved their goals
in
disadvantage
connections
{28} PROJECT YOUTH - 19/20 ANNUAL REPORT PROJECT YOUTH - 19/20 ANNUAL REPORT {29}These stories illustrate the transformational nature of Project Youth’s work, which is all
“
made possible by Project Youth’s generous donors and supporters.
*All names have been changed
“I have been going to Project Youth now for about 6 years. It’s been really good and the staff are
friendly and helpful. I never really felt comfortable with other people and I felt pretty lonely before
our “Thank you for
as my family situation was not very good. I go and hang out at Miranda centre most weeks and
then they helped me to get a qualification in hospitality and do some work at Café Y. I even got
to go to the Shangri la and see what it would be like to work there. They also helped me get into
young believing in me
the fitness group and went along each week with the personal trainer. During COVID I still got to
work out with the personal trainer online which was great. I am much more confident now and
have met so many people. Project Youth helped me with so much and the best thing is I am now
a peer mentor myself and can chat with other young people in the fitness group like my mentor
“
people and not giving
helped me.”
Jack*, 22 years old, early intervention
“
up on me.” “My friend suggested I contact Project Youth
to help pay off some fines. I had $800 of fines
and I didn’t know what to do. My license was “I finally feel
free now.”
also suspended due to the fines which made
it difficult to find a job. Project Youth were
“
“I have been living in Project Youth really helpful and I was able to do my WDO
Transitional Housing for over a year now and hours using my experience in labouring. I
when I look back I can really see how far I completed a range of tasks at the Hurstville
have come. There have been many struggles office which included demolition work in the
along the way, and times when things just new kitchen. After about a month of working
seemed too hard. Throughout it though I with Project Youth, I successfully paid off my
had support of not only my Project Youth
caseworker but the whole PY team to help me
engage in a number of programs including
the Hospitality Course, volunteering at the
cafe and being able to come to drop-in just
to feel less isolated. My caseworker has also
helped me to keep engaged with health
services and advocated on my behalf when I
because now I set up my own business! I now
do furniture removals and I’ve been able to
buy my own van. It is going so well now that
I even have people working for me. Thanks
“
fines and I got my license back which is great
Project Youth for giving me the opportunity.”
Harry*, 20 years old, employment
“Before I started working with Project Youth,
I hadn’t really been to school for the past 3
years and I never even really left my room.
I was really alone. I agreed to see a youth
worker, and I then began attending drop in
and talking with people again, and making
some connections with people. I was still
really nervous, but my confidence grew
“
could not find my voice. I am getting better at
this though. I am now looking towards other
educational opportunities and believe that I
have a real shot at completing this, getting
a job and moving onto more independent
accommodation”.
Melissa* 19 years old, housing
“Without Labour Y,
I would not be working
where I am today
enough that I joined the Job Readiness
Program at Hurstville. It has been so great
to learn some new skills to help me get a job.
This year I am going to get some more skills
for work and I plan to join Project Educate to
complete my schooling.”
Jenny*, 15 years old, early intervention
“
{30} PROJECT YOUTH - 19/20 ANNUAL REPORT PROJECT YOUTH - 19/20 ANNUAL REPORT {31}our future
W
e continue to work in a challenging, complex remote education, isolation and poverty. Our vision
and shifting environment where the impact for the future is to continue strong and active
of 2019/20 will not be fully realised for advocacy, support and care for young people
many years to come. We now live in a world where facing disadvantage, to ensure they still have the
there is an increase in vulnerability and uncertainty opportunities to thrive now and long into the future. We
and this has been felt by the young people we work have proven our ability to pivot, adjust, learn, listen and
with, the staff and volunteers in our organisation and remain focused on young people being central to our
the community we work in. We need to ensure we decisions, and this is how we will continue into 2021.
have strong foundations to scaffold our work while
remaining flexible to the challenges we face. This At Project Youth we remain excited about what’s next
includes increased demand in young people requiring for our organisation. Our five-year Strategic Plan is a
support and a shift in demand in areas that have been robust road map for our future. It has stood the test of
most impacted by the pandemic including mental time over the last year since it was implemented and
health, education and unemployment we are planning with our Board and staff team for the
next four years.
Technology will also be
key in our future, giving us
access to remote working
capabilities....
Technology will also be key in our future, giving us
access to remote working capabilities, new ways to
engage with young people and increasing our reach
to young people in rural and remote communities or
young people who would not traditionally approach a
support service. Over 2019/20 our communities have
>>
been impacted by drought, bushfires and a global
pandemic which has reshaped our funding landscape,
our demand and the way we deliver services.
Young people were disproportionately impacted
by these issues through increased unemployment,
{32} PROJECT YOUTH - 19/20 ANNUAL REPORT PROJECT YOUTH - 19/20 ANNUAL REPORT {33}We have already started to progress activity in • Advocating for medium term accommodation
a variety of these priority areas for 2020/21. This for under 18 year olds and crisis
includes: accommodation services for young people
over 18 years old
• Advocating with sector partners to Government
• Implementation of our Social Return on
around constant reforms, tendering, funding
Investment outcomes modelling
pressures, short-term contracting and the
ever-changing environment we work within • Developing our virtual spaces and online
programs
• Progressing on our accreditation of the whole
organisation • Additional capacity to support young people
transitioning to Rent Choice Subsidy for Youth
• Working with Government and Department of
Communities and Justice on the re-contracting • Development of our Reconciliation Action Plan
for Specialist Homelessness Services (SHS). We • Testing of Family restoration and Family
are advocating for five-year contracts to ensure Group Conferencing for families in the Early
longevity of stable and secure services for Intervention team to improve outcomes
young people facing homelessness
• Reviewing our fundraising strategy to ensure
• Working with Government and Department it is robust in light of the lack of fundraising
of Communities and Justice on the inclusion opportunities throughout 2019/20 yet an
of 24/7 money as part of the SHS contract to increase in demand
enable continuity of crisis support for young
people under 19 years old
Our strategic plan has four priority areas:
•
3
The inclusion of Equal Remuneration Order
B E A C A T A L Y S T F O R (ERO) supplementation in budgets so contracts
SOCIAL CHANGE
1
can support the increased wages for staff in the
S T R E N G T H E N O U R
FOUNDATIONS • Empower the community to be a voice for
industry without impacting service delivery and
structures
change
• Strong leadership and management
• Share our knowledge and evidence with other
• Improving the response for unaccompanied
• Practice that is based on evidence organisations
young people under 16 who are accessing
homelessness service
• A skilled and well trained workforce • Advocate for young people at a policy level to
• A focus on employment for young people
• Effective policy, procedure and risk assessment
break the cycle of disadvantage
through re-modelling of provision and
• Effective collaboration and partnership
• Work with government agencies to support alignment with new employment models
effective delivery of commissioning currently being developed
• Implementation of Project Educate provision
to support young people who are missing
2 4
I N C R E A S E O U R S C A L E A N D G R O W from education for extended periods of time,
providing a trauma informed and effective
IMPACT EFFECTIVELY alternative to mainstream schooling so young
• Young people’s experience and skills are • Sustainable and achievable funding people can still achieve years 9 and 10
utilised
• Social enterprise sustainability and social • Formalisation of café and hospitality
• Young people are in safe and affordable impact investment traineeships providing more opportunities
for young people to gain qualifications and
housing
• Fill unmet need in our target population
experience
• Timely and effective early intervention
• Diversify our workforce capacity
• Bolstering our volunteer program to add
• Pathways to achievement in education and
increased value to our services and providing
employment
more opportunities for the community to be
• Programs that are open, accessible and involved in our work
culturally appropriate
• Developing our corporate partnership
engagement program
{34} PROJECT YOUTH - 19/20 ANNUAL REPORT PROJECT YOUTH - 19/20 ANNUAL REPORT {35}You can also read
