The Albany Youth Support Association Inc. Albany Western Australia privides support services for young people and their families. Services available are crisis accommodation for 15 to 25 year olds, tenancy support, outreach support, infomation and referral and workshops.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Programs and Services at Young House

Young House

Young House provides supported crisis accommodation for young people aged 15 to 25 years who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The refuge has 8 single rooms and shared communal space. While at Young House young people are encouraged to develop independent living skills, connect with education and employment opportunities and move toward a return home or independent living. Young House provides intensive case management to residents which includes referrals to and liaison with other agencies. Young House operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Referrals are accepted from agencies and individuals at short notice. Young people can live at the refuge for up to three months. Outreach support is also available with SHOT or AYO.

If you can't go home, we can help you:
  • make appointments
  • apply for income assistance
  • plan what you need to do to get your own place
  • work out a budget
  • talk about hassles you've got with education, training and employment
  • by providing support for things which you are finding stressful

Young House provides live in support to approximately 70 young people per year, plus casual support to 200 or more young people who call at the refuge for food, information, or other support.

Young House is funded under the Supported Accommodation Assistance program, a blend of state and federal funds accessed via the Department of Child Protection in WA. The Department of Housing and Works provides the building, while Lotterywest provide plant and equipment.

Contact Young House on 9842 2082, 12 Young Street, Albany or email yw@younghouse.org.au.

Albany Youth Outreach

Albany Youth Outreach provides early intervention support to young people aged 15 to 25 years to prevent crisis. These services are provided to any young person in the community having a difficult transition through adolescence. You may not need to live at the refuge, but still need support from someone for a time. Referrals are accepted from partner agencies or individuals. Young people can be assisted with mentoring, relationships, referrals to appropriate services, advocacy and information.

In 2005 and again in 2007 AYO, in conjunction with Tricia's Model Management, provided a modelling course for at risk young people aged 15 to 18 years. In 2005 six young women graduated from this course. The 2007 course commences in Term 2 and runs for 11 weeks. AYO also convenes a group for same sex attracted young people called True Colours held fortnightly on a Thursday evening. For information call Belinda.

AYO is funded by the Department of Child Protection and Lotterywest.

Contact Belinda on 0409 292 297 or email ayo@younghouse.org.au.

 

Supported Housing Outreach and Tenancy Program (SHOT)

Supported Housing Outreach and Tenancy provides post crisis support to young people to help with a smooth transition to independent living. While the focus of this program is a successful tenancy, issues which are a barrier to economic independence are also addressed. This includes assistance to access education and employment opportunities, maintain healthy lifestyle choices, and learn independent living skills. Support is provided to tenants in AYSA housing, but also will be open to other young people living in private accommodation whether boarding or renting. Contact Jill on 0437 292 297 or email shot@younghouse.org.au.

SHOT is funded as a pilot program by the SAAP Innovation and Investment Fund through the WA Department of Child Protection and the Department of Housing and Works.

Open Access

Open Access is a youth arts studio for marginalised young people. Community Artists will provide arts activities four times a week in the mediums of music, sculpture, painting and urban art. It is intended this project will provide a connection point for young people while offering a positive outlet for their talents in the art field. Entry is by referral then interview. Young people can self refer. Prospective participants must have a genuine interest in the arts to be eligible to participate. The longer term aim of this project is to run the studio, exhibit works, and publish works. Open Access is modelled on the Artful Dodgers Studio in Melbourne and funded by the Country Arts Regional Arts Fund, Arts WA, Ian Potter Foundation, Department of Corrective Services Albany, The Australian Government through the National Community Crime Prevention Project, Lotterywest, and Youth Grants WA.

Contact Belinda on 0409 292 297 or email ayo@younghouse.org.au.

Harmony Family Mediation Project

The Harmony Family Mediation Project offers families in the lower Great Southern access to an Albany based mediation service 10 hours per week with a trained professional. The project will offer limited after hours appointments for working parents and young people. It is intended this program will help families stay together, learn new skills to relate to each other, prevent the continuation of conflict, repair the damage of loss of trust in one another, help young people to maintain a better and more stable home environment, and help family negotiate agreed strategies to try at home. The service is free of charge.

The Harmony Family Mediation Project is a pilot project funded for 12 months by United Way West Australia until March 2008. It is hoped a successful evaluation of this project will result in a source of ongoing funding.

Contact Ros on 9842 2082 or email harmony@younghouse.org.au.