What We Do

Out of School Learning

The Youth Junction Inc. is passionate about providing young people with the opportunity to better their educational learning by providing homework support 2 evenings per week on Wednesday and Thursdays 4pm – 6pm.

Crime Prevention and Youth Safety

Throughout 2009 The Youth Junction Inc. launched its campaign to address and reduce youth offending rates across the Western region. This has resulted in the creation to two targeted justice programs: Youth, Community & Law Program (YCLP) and Crime, Choices & Consequences Program with P.A.R.T.Y Intervention.

YCLP works intensively with young offenders (18-25yrs) for a period of three months prior to sentence with the aim of reducing risk factors and causes of offending behaviour.

CCCP provides young offenders (18-25yrs) with the opportunity, prior to being sentenced, to attend The Alfred Hospital and/or The Royal Melbourne Hospital where they meet patients, listen to talks from some of Melbourne’s leading surgeons and emergency service personnel, and actively participate in the daily routines of a hospital environment. These programs include an intensive psycho-social assessment so that all needs of the young person can be addressed. Referral for these programs can only be from the Sunshine and Werribee Magistrates Court; however young people can undergo the initial screening interview which will determine if they are appropriate for the program, prior to their court appearance. The flyer and referral form can be found here.

The partnerships and supporting agencies for these two programs include:

Sunshine and Werribee Magistrates Court, The Alfred and The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria Police, National Trauma Research Institute, and P.A.R.T.Y (Prevent Alcohol & Risk-Related Trauma in Youth).

YCLP is funded by Legal Services Board and CCCP is funded by Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) – Department of the Attorney General.

Health, Wellbeing and Social Justice in Schools

Actively supporting education both in and out of school, The Youth Junction Inc. are now running workshops within local Secondary Colleges addressing some of the following issues facing young people today; anti-violence, cyber bullying, drugs and alcohol, mental health, respectful relationships, safe sex, partying responsibly, eating disorders, physical health, and leadership.

These workshops can be tailored to meet the current needs of the school and the profile of young people attending them. ifyou would like this program in your school then please contact our Youth Services Coordinator on (03)9091 8204

Intake, Access and Referral

As the busiest independent collocated youth service in the Western Region, we know it is important for young people to be able to access services which comprehensively address their needs and improves their life choices.

The Youth Junction Inc. has Intake, Access and Referral Youth Workers based at reception so that young people can simply drop-in and seek professional assistance with any service they require. To speak with our youth workers please call (03)9091 8200 or email info@youthjunctioninc.net.au and one of highly-trained team members will contact you, or you can download the referral form here.

Free computer access is also available for young people to drop-in and use the internet for job search or receive assistance to write resumes, or engage in social networking.

Leadership

The Youth Junction Inc. values its ability to offer young people the chance to develop their communities and themselves by teaching them how to be effective leaders.

This program is delivered in schools, with new and emerging and disengaged groups of young people. It is aimed at teaching young people that Leadership starts inside as a positive attitude and can develop to inspire others through education and support.

Youth Inclusion and Expression

The Youth Action Committee (YAC) are a key driver of youth ideas at the Visy Cares Hub. Participants assist with running events, setting up youth initiatives (such as youth mentoring and peer support), and complete training in areas of first aid, event management and OHS.

The YAC also helps provide constructive feedback on general services and programs offered at the Visy Cares Hub and very importantly provide the Youth of the West with a Voice!

If you would like to be part of our YAC then please contact our Youth Worker on (03) 9091 8200.

Unified OutWest

The Youth Junction Inc. is inclusive of all young people and responds to diverseyouth needs and ways of life, Young people and staff have created the first Social and Educational Support Group for young people who identify as belonging to the QLBTIQ (Gay, Lesbian, Bi-Sexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer) Community from the across the Western Region of Melbourne.

If you would like to join this group then please download a flyer which explains more about the group or alternatively contact one of our youth workers on (03)9091 8200.

Youth Advocacy

The Youth Junction Inc. ensures that young people are at the heart of any agenda of community initiatives and we advocate for them on:

• The Board of the Brimbank Police, Youth & Citizen’s Club (PCYC), of which we helped re-develop, and assist with the fit-out of the Street Surfer Bus an outreach bus providing services to young people to encourage them to utilise the services at the Visy Cares Hub.
• The Board of the Sunshine Business Association (SBA), which we assisted in developing with the aim to encourage local businesses to employ local young people and to ensure that their needs are considered in the growth and development of Sunshine.