Yass Youth Centre a safe place

It’s the greeting you hear when you call the Yass Youth Centre and the question itself seems incidental. However, for a young person in need or a concerned adult seeking help for a young person in need, the almost insignificant greeting can be the life preserver, keeping the caller afloat.

“Two weeks ago we received a call,” President of the Yass Youth Association (YYA) Brigita Bezjak began, “This boy was underage, without money and was stuck out of town.

“He had been couch surfing because he wasn’t in a position to go home and he was vulnerable.

“When we got the call we went out to pick him up and we went shopping and bought some necessities for him. We made sure he had a safe place to sleep locally and we continue to follow it up.”

The YYA has been running for almost 30 years and its commitment to providing opportunities for young people as well as qualified local people for employment, has not wavered. The YYA has also always had a commitment to promoting self-determination and reconciliation with Indigenous Australians.

“You may think that story was successful because we were able to provide the boy with a safe place to sleep each night, but to us it was successful because he actually called us when he felt vulnerable” Brigita continued.

“That youth and their families feel comfortable calling us, and know we will do everything we can to support and assist reflects why it is a trusted service that engages with so many in the Yass Valley.”

In the 2013/14 financial year, the YYA worked with 133 clients, represented 48 families, with approximately 50 per cent Indigenous and 50 per cent non-Indigenous clients.

In the lead up to the centre's 30-year anniversary, Wyatt Walker, a Youth Worker/Coordinator since 2006, and Brigita, a volunteer since 2008, have been working hard with the YYA Management Board to enhance the profile and develop the Youth Centre to further assist young people in need. 

Wyatt, close to hanging up his YYA hat and retiring, is passing the bus and keys onto the newly employed Youth Worker Intern, Jessica Frost and Youth Worker/Case Worker Rebecca Hedger.

Jessica has just finished a Bachelor of Social Science at the University of Canberra, specialising in Criminology and Justice Studies. She is taking on the Internship to gain valuable experience from the team at the YYA.

“I plan to stay on in Yass,” Jessica explained, “To reach out and work with youth from a small town is a fantastic opportunity and even better with a great team.”

Rebecca is completing both Certificate 4 in Youth Work and Certificate 3 in Community Services. She then intends to study Social Work at university.  

“It really is my passion, I am quite sick of the injustices of the world and I really just wanted to do something about it,” she said.

“I just hope that I can continue the great work of Wyatt and Brigita.”

YYA has provided a safe adult free place, with ongoing and confidential support as needed. It is the only agency in the Yass Valley to provide such services and it also welcomes Yass teenage parents and their babies.

The drop-in centre is at the Yass Memorial Hall and is always looking for funding. In particular, a sponsor to purchase a vehicle for its Learner Driver Program.

In addition to its regular youth activities its services include advocacy, advice and referral on a wide range of issues. They also provide homework assistance and excursions through its Roads to Discovery Program. 

The Youth Centre is open Wednesdays from 10.30am to 7pm and Fridays from 2pm to 7pm for young people.

You can contact the YYA on 6226 2566. Donations are tax deductible and can be made at the Give Now website under “Yass Youth”.