In this issue

The final Service Provider spotlight for 2019 – Goodna Youth Service

What service do you offer?

GYS has a strong background in the provision of a wide range of youth development and support programmes in the region since its establishment in 1984. GYS provide support to young people who find themselves homeless, at risk of homelessness or transition from care.

During our 30-year history, GYS has remained the same, but throughout, we have remained agile, responsive and innovative. We remain a small agency addressing diverse needs in the rapidly expanding communities we serve.

To date, we have delivered services from a single location – the same accommodation which has housed our organisation since its formation. We have been creative and resourceful in progressively adapting our workplace to suit expanding needs, but its limitations are increasingly in evidence.

Our current funded programs deliver workshops, support and guidance to some of the most disadvantaged and venerable young people who struggle with their different backgrounds, cultural identities and personal goals.

We provide support to young people who find themselves homeless, at risk of homelessness or transition from care, and provides accommodation support, case management, life skills training and social connection. We can provide a QHIP assessment for housing, provide a place to have a shower, do laundry or just grab a coffee and a chat.

At our service Young people are treated with dignity. Their knowledge, culture, experience, strengths and choices are respected. Our learning framework is built upon difference, inclusiveness and participation.

GYS have 7 staff and are funded by the Department of Housing and Public Works, and the Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women, to provide services to young people who are our most vulnerable in our community.

GYS believes that all people including young people have the right to safe, secure, and to be treated as equal people in our society, and believe that people need opportunities to become active in decision making in order to improve their lives.

Number of Police Referral Clients they’ve worked with, average length of time for client engagement and most successful client outcome?

14 out of the 38 police Redbourne referrals engaged with Goodna Youth Services with an average of 20 weeks duration within the program. We have seen much success with many of these clients gaining independence and re-engaging within family, education, employment or the community. We recently closed off a client’s file who was referred to us on the 25^th Feb 2019. She had been referred due to an incident of abuse from a family member. When we first engaged with the 17-year-old female, she was struggling at school and disengaged from family. Our youth workers assisted her to work through her journey plan including obtaining support around her schooling, mental health, social and family relationships. After being connected with CYMHS with their DBT sessions. The 17-year-old was diagnosed with ASD, ADHD, PTSD and suffering from borderline personality disorder. While working on herself confidence and worth, the youth worker witnesses the timid client grow in confidence and become a member of the Goodna youth service youth coalition which meets regularly each month to discuss issues revolving around the youth of the Ipswich community. The 17-year-old female is enjoying school as she completes her final term of school to achieve her QCE and then intends to attend the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) next year with aspirations of becoming a social worker or teacher. She is also working towards obtaining her provisional licence which is something she never thought would ever happen.

Why is the Police Referrals Program important?

GYS feel that Redbourne referrals are a vital part of the response for young people experiencing issues such as mental health and social disconnection. We know that police are seeing an increasing number of individuals with severe mental health problems who live in the community and the ability for Redbourne to refer to services where there is need is important.