Wayside youth

Wayside Youth is a Drop-In Centre and Outreach Service for young people (25 and under).

Kings Cross continues to be a magnet for young people, where the opportunity for criminal activity and the ready access to alcohol, drugs and the sex industry can put them at great risk.

From Monday to Saturday, Wayside Youth provides a safe and supportive environment for all young people with a particular focus on those living rough in the Kings Cross area.

On April 14, the doors to Wayside Youth were opened to the public in celebration of Youth Week. Click here to view some info and photos from the day.

 

Breakfast Program

Wayside Youth's free breakfast program runs from 9-11am. Young people can sit down to coffee, tea, toast, cereal and fruit as well as bacon and eggs on Mondays. A healthy meal in a friendly, community setting ensures the oportunity for a positive start to the day.

Drop-in

As well as visiting for breakfast, young people are encouraged to drop in to use the shower, kitchen and laundry facilities. Youth workers are able to provide:

• Information on topics including alcohol and other drugs & mental health.
• Advocacy including court support.
• Referrals for accommodation, health and welfare.
• Transportation for young people to reconnect with families and support networks.
• Activities and Outings.

Food for thought

Each week, as part of the "Food for Thought" program, a different guest is invited to dinner and encouraged to share their experiences and knowledge. The dinner is prepared by the young people who access the servic. The program has three simple goals:

1. Build a sense of community and "family"
2. Give young people an opportunity to discuss different topics and see different lifestyles
3. Provide positive role models

Guests so far have included: actors, Claudia Karvan & Zoe Naylor; comedian, Eddie Perfect; Sydney Swans captain, Craig Bolton; chef, Janni Kyritsis; and TV Presenter, Maeve O’Meara.

Saturday "our place"

The Our Place program allows young people the opportunity to host social events for friends every Saturday. Celebrating events and socialising with a group of friends is vital to fostering a sense of belonging often absent from the young people's home life or upbringing. The program goals are simple:

1. Promote self esteem, self determination and self worth.
2. Develop living skills including; meal planning, cooking, budgeting, shopping and cleaning up.
3. Reduce social isolation.

The Our Place Program is supported by:

 

Outreach

Nightly street walks, covering the Kings Cross and Green Park areas, aim to connect with young people on the street to ensure early intervention and immediate crisis referrals.

Further support in courts, hospitals, jail and police stations ensures young people are able to access fair and equitable treatment within the legal and medical systems.
      

Wayside Youth - Funded by South Eastern Sydney Illawarra Area Health Service                              Funded by NSW Health