Young People Ahead (YPA) continue to offer quality services and support to young people, their families and the broader community in 2019.
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Debra Woodward from YPA said 2019 promises to be an exciting year for the organisation.
“In our Youth Empowering Strength (YES) program, we have the continuation of two women's programs,” Ms Woodward said.
The program is an essential early intervention response to young people who present with risk factors that may impact their well-being and result in harm, homelessness or negative health outcomes.
“One of the women’s programs is ‘My mind, My body and My Spirit which is a domestic violence program educating young woman about healthy relationships an the other is our ‘Mums, Bubs and Tums’.”
Mums, Bubs and Tums is a relatively new program which has been running for only three months but has seen a steady number of young women show interest.
“We act as a support group, to answer any questions they may have regarding sex, pregnancy and bubs.”
“We educate them around the general care of their little one and give them advice,” she said.
Through out the school year YPA support students by doing a bus run before and after school.
“We will continue to be of service five days a week during the school year for these students.”
The Mount Isa Youth Shelter was established in 1983 to assist homeless youth in Mount Isa and regional areas.
Ms Woodward said the youth shelter service provides crisis support to young people who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness.
“The program supports and encourages them towards independent living or family reconciliation where appropriate.”
The ten bed facility caters for both males and females between the ages of 16—25 and with the recent refurbishment of new furniture looks fresh and appealing.
The Youth Shelter is funded for short term crisis accommodation meaning the maximum length of stay is 3 months.
It is staffed 24 hours, 7 days a week.
Ms Woodward said the team over their work with young people to meet their immediate needs within the crisis period and support them to learn independent living skills.
The Youth Housing and Reintegration Service Funding (YHARS) helps to reduce homelessness through the provision of support, brokerage and accommodation for young people in the Mount Isa community.
“We have a new team leader for our YHARS program and her name is Lisa Gallagher.”
Ms Gallagher worked int he YES program for nine months before securing her new role.
