Dylan’s* childhood was upside down. His mum didn’t want him around. School was hard and he often got in trouble for fighting and misbehaving in class. Dylan became familiar with rejection and homelessness at only 12 years old.
His schizophrenia added to his uncontrolled violent outbursts. Moving from bed to bed night after night made it difficult for Dylan to keep track of his medication. It affected his mental health and made him an outcast at school.
He was banned from school sporting teams, excluded from outings and camps and later suspended for bad behaviour. It was easier to separate Dylan, his teachers believed, in order to maintain peace. But that exclusion took an enormous toll when Dylan was arrested for causing grievous bodily harm.
“I didn’t have any friends at school,” says Dylan. “I had no one to vent to, no one that cared. It all became too much and I lashed out.”
Fortunately, Dylan met one of our Youth Workers at the local court: a service we offer through our Outreach programs.
Slowly, our youth workers earned his trust and showed Dylan coping techniques to manage his anger. We helped him keep track of his medication and mend his relationship with his mum with the two of them attending counselling sessions as part of our Family Program.
The change has been remarkable.
And right now, as we face a greater need for our services, such kindness can’t come soon enough to support kids like Dylan who are still in desperate need of our help.
But together, we can be there for young people before they reach breaking point, and lift them up to realise their full potential.
Please give generously** to bring hope and safety to homeless and vulnerable young people .
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*Names have been changed to protect the privacy of our young people
**All donations over $2 are tax deductible
As an individual, school, university, TAFE, workplace or social group you can organise an activity or challenge that can be fun and inspiring while helping disadvantaged young people. An existing event may also be a great way for you to support Youth Off The Streets.
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We would like to thank all our supporters for their continuing belief in helping disadvantaged young people.
Celebrate an engagement, wedding, anniversary, birthday or any other special event with a donation to Youth Off The Streets, and give hope and a future to young people in need.
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A gift in your Will is a powerful way to help some of Australia’s most vulnerable young people now and in the future.
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A Memorial Donation to Youth Off The Streets is a thoughtful way to remember someone close to you, and at the same time help give hope and a future to young people in need.
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We value working with partners that are focused on making a positive contribution to the community, in alignment with our goals and objectives.
Get more informationOur volunteers are aged between 21 – 80 years old and work within most of our services through one off events, as skilled volunteers and as regular community volunteers.
A simple routine helps youth most at risk to increase school attendance
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We would like to thank all our supporters for their continuing belief in helping disadvantaged young people.
TIME FOR A SPRING CLEAN? Donate your quality goods to our Op Shops today!
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We value working with partners that are focused on making a positive contribution to the community, in alignment with our goals and objectives.
Read moreSupport Youth Off The Streets by purchasing something small. All proceeds go towards helping disadvantaged young people.
We value working with partners that are focused on making a positive contribution to the community, in alignment with our goals and objectives.
Community organisations and businesses can work together for a better future
When Trudi* first came into contact with Youth Off The Streets, she was 15 and homeless
Find out moreWe would like to thank all our supporters for their continuing belief in helping disadvantaged young people.
We value working with partners that are focused on making a positive contribution to the community, in alignment with our goals and objectives.
Read moreCelebrate an engagement, wedding, anniversary, birthday or any other special event with a donation to Youth Off The Streets, and give hope and a future to young people in need.
Read moreA Memorial Donation to Youth Off The Streets is a thoughtful way to remember someone close to you, and at the same time help give hope and a future to young people in need.
Read more
