About Us

Why have a Youth Centre, isn't that old fashioned?

Yep.  But it's great!  As far as we're concerned EVERY city and town in Australia should have it's very own dedicated "space" for young people.

What is a Youth Centre?  Good question.  A Youth Centre is basically a "hub" for young people.  It doesn't just provide employment services, or programs, or counselling services, it provides a whole range of support services and activities for young people.

Youth Centres are all about helping young people with whatever crops up that makes their lives difficult... family stuff, drugs and alcohol issues, mental health concerns, relationship issues, unemployment, incomplete education... all sorts of things.  Youth Centre's are also about making sure young people get the chance to engage with their community.

At the Youth Space young people are as much a part of the organisation as the staff and our funding bodies.  Our constitution even says we have to have a minimum of two young people under the age of 25 on our Management Committee at all times.  At the moment (2011) we have four!  Our Chair Person and our Vice Chair Person are BOTH young people, as well as two of our Advisory Members - which is awesome!

Young people are what the Youth Space is all about, and we fight hard to make sure we will always stay that way.

An interesting note that not many people know, is that young people actually helped BUILD the Youth Space back in 2001 under the supervision of trained construction guys.  So in every way young people have always been a part of everything about us.

Because we're all about young people, we keep everything pretty informal.  No one wears a suit, everyone is subject to the same rules, and young people can access staff at any time unless they're in a meeting or running a program.  Sometimes there is paper work that has to be filled out, because governments love paper work, but it's usually painless and the staff are here to help if any of it's confusing.

Because we run programs throughout the day, and because we're not a crisis service (well, we're not meant to be), we have some limitations to the times we're able to be open and to the times we can run our drop-in.  So, unless we're running outreach programs or special activities or events, we open at 8:30am Monday to Friday and usually lock up between 5pm and 5:30pm.  Our programs run from 9am to between 2pm and 4pm (depending on the program), with drop-in starting at 2:30pm and running until between 4:30 and 5pm.

So what are the programs we run?  Well, there are a heap, below are our regular ongoing programs.  For other program stuff we might be up to check out the "Our Programs" page:

- YACCA and YARN (Youth At Risk Network): a community based crime prevention program that supports young people 10 to 25 who are at risk of becoming engaged with the juvenile or adult justice systems, or are already involved with those systems.  Provides intensive support to those young people and where appropriate their families;
- Get Set for Work: supports young men and women to find work and overcome any personal barriers they may have to employment or further education;
- Checkpoint: our flexi-school. It helps young people either return to school, finish their Year 10 at RAYS, or move on to further education at TAFE;
- Work Placement Programs: regularly employs 11 to 14 young people for four months to produce product that is of benefit to the local community;
- Girls With A Purpose: young women's support group;
- Young Men's Mentoring Initiative: mentoring program that provides one on one support to young men needing a little positive male guidance (this is not a young men's group);
- Road Ready: teaches young people responsible driving skills and helps them to get their Learners licence;
- The North Lakes Project: a safe space program that happens every Thursday night at the Westfield in North Lakes, and includes outreach into the local area;
- UCRE8: a youth social enterprise;
- Drop In: social time for young people to hang, access Youth Work support, play the XBOX, check e-mail, watch YouTube, all that good stuff!

Like we said above, we're often running other stuff outside of our regular programs.  Also, we're always designing new stuff that is responsive to the issues we see affecting the young people we work with.

All of the stuff above probably makes us sound really busy, and we are.  Like ridiculously busy!  But we're always available for young people.  We'll always make time.  If you want to come see us make an appointment if you can, but you can just pop in too.

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Our History!

1999

The Humpybong Youth Space Steering Group was formed. How's that for a name?!

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.

The Redcliffe City Council provided some funds to design a building within the Humpybong Cultural Precinct, which ended up becoming Stage One of the Youth Space. The Steering Group then went hunting for money and received funding from local, State and Federal Governments to begin construction and fit-out of the Youth Space.

2001 (Sort of a Space Odyssey!)

The Youth Space building started construction and was close to completion and the Humpybong Youth Space Interim Management Committee was formed.

The Committee was responsible for working out how the Youth Space would be managed, and what its relationship to Council would be.

2002

The Committee incorporated in July of 2002 to form the existing Redcliffe Area Youth Space Management Committee Incorporated (RAYSMC). The Management Committee looks out for the strategic direction of the Space and helps influence the direction of youth service provision in our area.  Their job is to support the Manager to make the best decisions possible and take into account the views of staff, young people and the community in general.

For three 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.

The original idea of having a building that other Youth Services would use was abandoned early on as it became apparent the people of Redcliffe wanted their own Youth Service to take care of young people in need!

2005

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 finish not only Stage Two, but Stage Three as well!

On the 5th of September 2005 construction began on Stages Two and Three.

2006

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!

With the new addition to the building, the Youth Space started attracting more and more programs and really came into its own!

Stages Two and Three were opened by the Mayor of Redcliffe (now the Mayor of the Moreton Bay Region), His Worship Councillor Allan Sutherland in June.

The Redcliffe Area Youth Space is 100% purpose built to service the needs of local young people.

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, were thrilled to see the fulfillment of a vision that began back in 1999.

A lot of hard work went into getting the Youth Space up and running, and through carefully selecting only the best staff, the Management Committee have nurtured the growth of the Youth Space into a successful, award-winning Youth Centre for young people in Redcliffe.

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Our Award Winning Staff   

Some of the guys might look a little wild but that's part of the reason young people love it at the Youth Space!  No pretense, no suits, everyone is unique and we celebrate that uniqueness.  No fitting square begs into round holes here!

Every member of the staff team is a qualified professional with years of experience in the youth sector both here in Queensland and elsewhere in Australia!  The staff team of the Youth Space were nominated, in 2009, for the "Pride of Australia" Award for their amazing work, for two Australia Day Awards for their events and community activities, and have won South East Queensland's "Young Legends" Award two years running (2007 and 2008) for their efforts supporting young people and the environment.

They admit they're a work in progress and don't always get everything right, but the proof is there that they do fantastic work and are always growing, changing and improving what they do!

	Name: Jarryd Role: Chief Executive Officer What's that mean?  It means, among other things, that it's Jarryd's job to run the organisation, work with government, write grants and programs and advocate for young people at the local, state and national level. Perks of the job: Jarryd lists a few perks... his staff (because they're the best in the biz), the young people (because they're pretty awesome), the work (because it's impossible to get bored), and lucky last... he can wear whatever he wants! Interesting fact about Jarryd: He loves dirt bikes, metal (the music not the alloy), live concerts, science fiction, horror movies, and he hates suits and ties and nice shiney shoes. How long have you worked at RAYS?  Since 2005.
	Name: Amy Role: Finance Officer What's that mean?  It means Amy is Jarryd's right hand woman!  She monitors the finances, constructs the budgets, pays the bills and helps quality check the organisation and review its performance. Perks of the job: Amy loves the great team of people she gets to work with and thinks RAYS is a very special place.  She enjoys getting to know all the young men and women who come to do programs or get help and loves watching the positive change that happens in them when they get connected with the Youth Space!  She never ceases to be amazed at the level of dedication the staff have and how much they care about people. Interesting fact about Amy: She loves taking long walks or rides around the peninsula and hopes to master the art of roller-blading one day! How long have you worked at RAYS?  Since 2006.
	Name: Roz Role: Work Placement Project Coordinator What's that mean?  It means Roz manages a team of young people who are hired to provide a service to the people of Redcliffe.  She teaches them brand new skills, helps them with their life issues and helps them find employment when their work placements are over. Perks of the job: Roz loves the team at the Youth Space because they're amazing people.  It's a creative environment where you're valued as a staff member and you get to bring ideas to the table and watch them become a reality (with a bit of pushing and nudging and the odd kick)! Interesting fact about Roz: She can talk under water!  The only time you'll ever find her quite is if she's in the middle of a rainforest somewhere or is watching a beautiful sunset. How long have you worked at RAYS?  Since 2006.
	Name: Amylee Role: Youth At Risk Project Coordinator (crime prevention) What's that mean?  It means Amylee helps out young people who have been in trouble with the law, or are at risk of getting into trouble with the law.  She helps with legal stuff, court support, personal support and a whole range of issues. Perks of the job: Amy loves seeing a young person who has had a rough time take old of a new opportunity and embrace positive change in their life.  Amy has a passion for young people who've had it rough and enjoys teaching them new skills that will help them lead a successful life. Interesting fact about Amylee: She loves going to live music events and has a bit of a tattoo addiction! How long have you worked at RAYS?  Since 2007.
	Name: Seona Role: Get Set for Work Project Coordinator What's that mean?  It means Seona help dozens of young people every year return to school, enter training or find employment.  Like Roz and Amylee she helps young people with all sorts of personal issues and is amazing at it! Perks of the job: Seona loves the people she works with.  Hmmm... there seems to be a pattern developing here!  She enjoys the fact that RAYS is a dynamic and relaxed environment that's professional and always putting young people first. Interesting fact about Seona: She loves 4WDriving and competes in 4WDrive comps!  She has the trophies to prove it!  She might also have an addiction to facebook!  But so do the rest of the staff! How long have you worked at RAYS?  Since 2008.
PICTURE COMING SOON!	Name: David Role: Get Set for Work Project Officer What's that mean?  It means David works with Seona to support heaps of young people every year with school, work, personal issues and just about anything you can think of. Perks of the job: Coming Soon! Interesting fact: Coming Soon! How long have you worked at RAYS?  Since 2010.
	Name: Ben Role: Youth Worker Perks of the job: Ben loves the challenge of Youth Work.  Nothing is predictable, and you see so many different things in the job.  He loves that there is never a dull moment at the Youth Space, and that he learns as much from the young people as he does from his colleagues. Interesting fact about Ben: He's a mad Transformers fan, loves going out to live concerts and plays the guitar and bass. How long have you worked at RAYS?  Since 2006.
	Name: Janice Role: Youth Connections Outreach Worker Perks of the job: Janice loves that RAYS is inclusive.  It's not about any particular group of young people, it's about ALL young people.  Whether you're Indigenous, Pacific Islander, Maori, Samoan, Asian, Anglo-Australian... you're welcome.  She loves the staff, loves the young people, and loves working with the really hard core kids who have had a rough life. Interesting fact about Janice: She loves gardening and is a total advocate for animal rights.  If she finds an injured bird, she gets it into the Youth Space and nurses it until someone comes to take care of it!  Janice also has the strangest hobby ever - she sculpts wood... with a chainsaw!  So, you know, don't get her angry! How long have you worked at RAYS?  Since 2008.
	Name: Allen Role: Checkpoint Project Coordinator Perks of the job: Allen really LOVES the Youth Space!  Crazy loves it!  He loves the staff, he loves the young people and he loves the work! Interesting fact about Allen: He's in a band called "Hard Graphic", does street work supporting young homeless people, is addicted to comics, wants to get a Green Lantern tattoo, and used to be a Youth Chaplain! How long have you worked at RAYS?  Since 2009.
	Name: Mitch Role: IT and Events Officer Perks of the job: Mitch gets to play around with all of the design stuff and create weird and wonderful posters and fliers for the Youth Space's events and programs.  It's awesome! Interesting fact about Mitch: He's a proud geek and loves computer games, new and whacky technology and enjoys sorting out the mess of computers and wires at the Youth Space! How long have you worked at RAYS?  Since 2009.
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