YouthCARE Canberra have announced the release of their new website, appealing directly to young people in the capital who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
The site illustrates the prevalence of youth homelessness in one of Australia’s wealthiest cities.
On any given night in our nation’s capital, there are estimated to be around 100 young people either living on the streets or ‘couch-surfing’ with friends.
YouthCARE Canberra is a not-for-profit organisation providing proactive outreach services to young people facing adverse conditions such as homelessness and violence. The charity works alongside other local services to offer both immediate help in times of desperation as well as ongoing support in terms of housing, education and general wellbeing.
Previously operating as part of Open Family ACT, YouthCARE Canberra has been servicing the Canberra community since 1988.
The new website encourages young people at risk to contact the YouthCARE Canberra youth worker, based at St John’s Care in Reid, an after-hours walk-in centre where young people at risk can go to receive support, food, clothing, help sourcing accommodation, and other basic necessities.
The issue of youth homelessness in Canberra was highlighted this week by Youth Homelessness Matters Day on 16th April.
According to Minister for Housing Shane Rattenbury, it’s estimated that almost half of those who access homelessness services in the ACT are under the age of 25.
“It is not a common view to picture homelessness as a young person living in emergency accommodation, or couch surfing with friends, not knowing where they will sleep from night to night, but it is a real one,” said Mr Rattenbury.
To learn more about YouthCARE Canberra or to donate, click here.
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