ABOUT
GLEBE YOUTH SERVICE
| | Governance |
| GYS
is governed by a Board of Management made up of community members,
representatives of other organisations and individuals with an interest
in the development of young people. The Board are all volunteers and
meet monthly to guide and assist the staff in providing the best
service possible.
The service has a constitution which states the
following objects:
- To
provide community services to young people to
reduce the effects of being disadvantaged;
- To
assist individuals and groups of young people
to access appropriate resources effectively and take action to meet
their needs;
- To
encourage young people to be involved in
planning and developing all activities of GYS;
- To
inform, educate and resource the local
community about young people and their issues and concerns with a view
to building community support for, and participation in, initiatives to
improve the quality of life for young people;
- To
develop formal and informal networks with
Government and non - government agencies in the metropolitan area for
the purpose of developing and implementing strategies in the local
community to assist young people who are disadvantaged;
- To
support and work with a range of organisations,
workers and decision-makers to assist in the coordination of services
to young people at risk of poverty, sickness, suffering, distress,
misfortune, disability or helplessness.
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GYS began in 1989 when a single worker, Brad Roberts, was employed by
the Uniting Church part time to perform outreach work with the young
people of Glebe. He was welcomed into the community and with Leichhardt
Council and the Department of Housing’s support, the service
was able to secure premises at 51 Glebe Point Road, now the site of
Sappho Books.
Funding from Department of Community Services in
1992 saw an increase
in staff and in 1995 the service moved to our new premises at 84 Glebe
Point Road. Previously a theatre, billiard room and car workshop, the
GYS building is ideal for youth services and the young people enjoy the
position right on the main street.
We have had many great staff come and go over the
years and a whole
generation of young people have been through our programs. The service
now has three full time staff, an administrative assistant and a number
of casual staff. We still rely on the goodwill and support of the
community and as always funds are insufficient to meet the many needs
of our clients.
|
| The
service is funded by the Department of Community Services under the
Community Services Grants Program. These core funds provide the
recreational programs including Drop In, vacation care and camps. Our
core funds also allow us to provide casework and support for our
clients.
We also receive a significant grant from the City of Sydney for
casework and to provide the After Dark program on Friday and Saturday
nights. City have been a welcome new partner since we became part of
their Local Government Area in 2004.
We have received a range of smaller grants from
organisations such as
the Becher Foundation, NRMA, Attorney General’s Department
and Department of Science Education and Training. These grants allow us
to provide additional programs for the development of our young people.
We also have a number of partners that have
combined with the service
to bring services to our clients. These include TAFE Outreach in Ultimo
and secondary schools, who help us provide an education program to
young people who have few schooling options left. Other partners have
included the Glebe Society, Department of Juvenile Justice, TAFE Glebe
Chamber of Commerce, Marrickville Youth Resource Centre and
Marrickville Council. TAFE Ultimo provide us with a steady supply of
would be youth workers who have impressed with their willingness and
ability.
The Glebe community also provide us with many
willing volunteers who
help us expand our programs and who bring skills and experience to
their interactions with the young people. We would not be able to
maintain our services without these dedicated individuals. |
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