The
Hon. Linda Jean Burney MP, NSW Minister for Fair
Trading, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteering
to address Youth Off The Streets Open Day on the
importance of community and its development.
On Thursday 2 August, Youth Off
The Streets, a not-for-profit community organisation
working for young people who are chronically homeless,
drug dependent and recovering from abuse will
offer the opportunity for the community, media
and education specialists to witness first hand
the services Youth Off The Streets provides and
the benefits they bring the young people in its
care.
Emphasising Fr Riley’s
long held belief in the Native American Indian
concept that “It takes a whole village to
raise a child,” The Hon. Linda Burney
MP, NSW Minister for Fair Trading, Minister
for Youth and Minister for Volunteering, will
address visitors on the importance of Community
Development and its role in contributing to societal
satisfaction.
“Sense of community
and sense of belonging plays a huge part in a
young person’s idea of their sense of self.
Young people need positive adult influences other
than their parents in their lives. I have chosen
to use the 2007 Open Day to encourage Community
Development and to highlight both the personal
and societal rewards that can be achieved by becoming
involved,” said Fr Riley.
According to the Australian Institute
of Health and Welfare, there are over 68,000 youth
under the age of 17 who are homeless in Australia
today.
“The need for services
that can make a difference to the lives of young
people who have been neglected from a very young
age has never been greater,” said Father
Chris Riley, Youth Off The Streets CEO and Founder.
“Open Day is an opportunity
to publicise our services so more youth in need
of them know they are not alone and that they
can come to us for help,” said Father
Riley. “It is also a chance for the broader
community to really understand the type of work
we do. It allows our supporters to see first hand
our commitment to providing a high quality and
transparent service for young Australians”.
The day will showcase the organisation’s
educational support services that rely on community
support. Service such as:
- Service Learning - an innovative
values-based program providing participants
the opportunity to learn through active participation
in the community;
- McIntosh House - a semi-independent
living and mentoring program that assists young
people to continue to develop skills, self-esteem
and positive social connections necessary to
live drug free, crime free lives and to help
them reach their personal goals.
- Chapel School - a flexible
education model to help young people stay connected
to school;
Youth Off The Streets would like to thank our
corporate supporters PepsiCo and Michel’s
Patisserie for their generous support in providing
catering on the day, as well as NRMA Insurance
for providing volunteers.
When:
|
Thursday
2 August 2007 |
| Time: |
10am
– 1pm |
| Where: |
Youth
Off The Streets
102 Kenyons Road
MERRYLANDS 2160 |
|
Note to the Editor:
Father Chris Riley, members of the Youth Off The
Streets Board of Directors and Senior Managers
will be available for interview between 11:00
– 11:15am. Images will be available, please
contact Ina Mullin: Email: inam@youthoffthestreets.com.au
or ph: 02 8332 5000
About Youth Off The Streets:
Youth Off The Streets is a community
organisation working for young people who are
chronically homeless, drug dependent and recovering
from abuse. We support these young people as they
work to turn their lives around and overcome immense
personal traumas such as neglect and physical,
psychological and emotional abuse.
Since opening in 1991, Youth
Off The Streets has grown from a single food van
delivering meals to young homeless people on the
streets of Kings Cross to a major youth specific
agency providing a wide range of services offering
a full continuum of care.
It is our goal that these young
people will leave our care drug free, with a high
school education, living skills and a full or
part time job in hand. |
