The Redcliffe Area Youth Service's mission is to work collaboratively with the community to develop the full potential of local
young people through innovative, sustainable and professional programs and services in a safe and inclusive environment.
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Let's
Talk About The
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Why is the Redcliffe Area Youth Service Here? The Redcliffe Area Youth Service, known as either RAYS or just the "Youth Space", provides a safe place and supportive environment for young people aged between 12 and 25 to develop their potential, increase their opportunities in life, and form positive networks in their community. The Youth Space was built by funding that came from two sources the Queensland State Government and Redcliffe City Council. Our local Council envisioned a "centre for youth" in Redcliffe, and purpose designed the building to be just that. In their wisdom, Council realised they themselves couldn't run a youth centre, they knew they needed to get someone from outside of Council to do that, and made an agreement with the Redcliffe Area Youth Service Management Committee to staff the building and design programs that would be of benefit to the local young people. That was way back in 1999. Three years later shazam! There was a building, staff, and programs. Redcliffe City Council and the Redcliffe Area Youth Service staff team and Management Committee continue to work closely together, because both bodies know how important it is to provide quality services for young people. Investing in our kids is literally investing in our future. So what is RAYS? We're a not-for-profit community organisation that supports young people across the Peninsula and nearby areas. Our catchment area includes Deception Bay and the Shire of Pine Rivers. We run a bunch of really fantastic programs, all of which have been developed with the consultation of young people and/or other service providers. So what are these programs we're bragging about? Glad you asked: -
Get Set for Work: supports young men and women to find work
and overcome any personal barriers they may have to employment There's heaps more. We're always designing new stuff. In addition to those eleven regular programs we have two full time Youth Workers who are available five days a week to help kids out with whatever is getting them down or confused. Make an appointment or drop on by. So, in short, we're here for young people aged 12 to 25. We're here to support them, advocate for them, entertain them, and just generally help them out with any concerns or issues they are facing. Drop on by, we're a great place, with a great staff team, doing amazing work in the community of Redcliffe.
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What's the history of the Youth Service? In 1999 the Humpybong Youth Space Steering Group was formed. The aim of this group was to bring together the various youth service providers on the Peninsula so a coordinated response to the delivery of existing and future youth services could be developed. This group did not intend to become another Youth Service Provider, rather it aimed to develop a space where the existing services could organise workshops, training and cultural programs. The vision for this space involved information dissemination, youth advocacy and skill development for young people 12 to 25 years. The Redcliffe City Council provided some funds to design a building within the Humpybong Cultural Precinct, and thus began the first part of Stage One of the Youth Space. The Steering Group then sought and received funding from the State Government and other sources to begin construction and fit-out of the Youth Space. In 2001 the Youth Space building was close to completion, and the Humpybong Youth Space Interim Management Committee was formed. This committee was responsible for working out how the Youth Space would be managed, and what it's relationship to Council would be. The Committee incorporated in July of 2002 to form the existing Redcliffe Area Youth Space Management Committee Incorporated (RAYSMC). The Management Committee oversee's the strategic direction of the Space, financial issues, and community partnerships. For four years Stage One served the community pretty well, but it was fast becoming apparent that the city of Redcliffe was growing quickly, and so too were the needs of it's young men and women. The Youth Space was designed to be built over three stages, allowing the Space to grow and change in response to the needs of local young people. In 2005 the Redcliffe City Council injected $500,000 into the completion of the Youth Space, and the State Government injected $215,000 to make up the full $715,000 that was needed to complete not only Stage Two, but Stage Three also! On the 5th of September 2005 construction began on Stages Two and Three. Construction would last until March 31st 2006, take a month hiatus, and then complete through the month of May. On the 2nd of June 2006 construction finally finished with the last piece of the puzzle being bolted into place - a roof for the new massive outdoor stage. The Redcliffe Area Youth Space is 100% purpose built to service the needs of local young people, and the needs of our community. The Redcliffe Area Youth Space Management Committee are very proud of the building, and very proud of the staff team they have recruited to design and run programs at the Space. The Management Committee, and indeed the city of Redcliffe, are thrilled to see the fulfillment of a vision that began over seven years ago.
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