Wayside Youth

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

Kings Cross continues to be a dangerous place for young people, where the opportunity for criminal activity and the ready access to alcohol and drugs 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.

 

Youth Employment Program

For young people with little experience or support the current employment market can be tough to break into. Those in this situation who do find work often end up in ‘under the table’ arrangements where they are vulnerable to exploitation. Others just don’t know where to start.

Wayside Youth is piloting an employment project for young people at risk to try to help break the unemployment cycle.

The project will match people between 16 and 25 who are ready to move into the mainstream workforce, with jobs or traineeships in supportive organisations that want to make a difference in the community. Wayside will provide intensive support to the employer and the young person to ensure that the best possible outcomes are achieved for both.

With the help of the Inner City Youth at Risk Project and participating services, the young person will have access to many different kinds of support to help them in areas of their life that aren’t necessarily employment related but that might be making it more difficult for them to find or keep work.

Many young people who have been marginalised from mainstream society really want to find a way back. Having a job is a big part of that. It’s not just about money; it’s about feeling useful, learning new skills, and overcoming challenges. What we do on a daily basis, and who we feel like we are as people, are intimately connected.

If people have low, or even negative, expectations of you then it’s easy not to have very high expectations of yourself. But if someone gives you a chance and shows that they genuinely believe in you, it can change your whole world view.

To find out more about the employment program pilot at Wayside contact Madeleine on 9358 5582 or madeleine.fabian@thewaysidechapel.com

 

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 the City Of Sydney.

 

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.

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