Brisbane Youth Service

"My first contact with the BYS Hub involved being supported by accessing their food pantry and receiving clothing and being assisted to access temporary accommodation and being supported to secure my current private rental share housing."

A few of our fabulous Early Intervention team members are at the Corinda Wellbeing Expo today!

The team are talking to Corinda State High School students about BYS programs and how we're supporting young people in the community.

If you're at the expo, come visit our booth and say hi!

Last year, the Queensland Government overrode its own Human Rights Act twice to introduce laws that mean more children are being incarcerated.

Because of this, Queensland’s understaffed youth detention centres are now overflowing, and more and more children are being held in adult watch houses for longer.

Children should not be in adult watch houses.

Watch houses are designed to hold adults for one to two days. Children are being kept in them for weeks.

Children in watch houses have no fresh air, exercise or access to education.

There are reports of children in watch houses not being fed or clothed properly, being put in with adult prisoners, being beaten by police and being sexually abused.

The majority of children who enter a watch house will reoffend because they have been traumatised by incarceration. Watch houses are unsafe for children and the community.

Please email the Premier and ask him to get Queensland children out of watch houses.

Take action here - raisetheagequeensland.org.au/take-action/

Honouring compassion and action! Our heartfelt thanks to Mary MacKillop College for hosting an inspiring Winter Sleepout. Over 100 students gathered on a cold Friday night to learn about the homelessness crisis and how they can help young people in need.

Mary MacKillop College also provided a generous donation of blankets and food for young people doing it tough this winter.

Thank you for supporting Brisbane Youth Service. Together, we're raising awareness and spreading warmth through acts of kindness.

Two weeks until Daggy Jumper Day 2024! 🎉 Have you got your daggy jumper, silly sweater, or hideous hoodie ready? Check out these DJD style icons for some inspiration!

It’s not too late to get involved! Visit daggy.com.au to find out more and sign up to fundraise to help young people find safe housing and build better, brighter futures.

We’re dedicated to creating welcoming and supportive environments for young people needing help at BYS. Our team believe in the potential of every young person and are committed to providing the resources and support needed to make your goals a reality.

Together, we can build new, brighter futures. 🧡☀️

On behalf of the young people and young families Brisbane Youth Service supports, THANK YOU to everyone who generously gave to our recent 'Break The Cycle' appeal.

Homelessness exposes young people to further violence and trauma, but thanks to you, they now have hope and the opportunity for a stable life and a brighter future. You have helped to provide youth-specific early intervention programs and specialist supports, giving them the chance to break the cycle of homelessness and violence.

Together, we are making a real difference.

July is Disability Pride Month! According to the United Nations, 15% of the world's population have a disability - about 1 billion people.

Research highlights that people with disability in Australia are at greater risk of homelessness than the general population, with the highest risk groups being people with psychological, intellectual and mental health disability as well as those with difficulties in schooling and employment.

At BYS, we assist vulnerable young people to find and maintain appropriate housing, address physical and mental health issues, and establish successful relationships and support networks. Of all the young people who accessed BYS support in 2022-23, 1 in 5 have a disability.

Ann Magill, the creator of the Disability Pride Flag, explains the significance of each colour in the flag: "The black field represents mourning and rage for victims of ableist violence and abuse. The diagonal band represents 'cutting across' the walls and barriers that separate the disabled from normative society, also light and creativity cutting through the darkness. The green stripe represents sensory disabilities. The blue stripe represents psychiatric disabilities. The white stripe represents invisible and undiagnosed disabilities. The yellow stripe represents neurodivergence, and the red stripe represents physical disabilities.”

We were once again honoured to be involved in MinterEllison Brisbane's biannual clerkship program last week. MinterEllison kindly donated funds for their vacation clerks to purchase items that will help set up the consult rooms at BYS' new youth support centre.

These generous donations will help make these rooms trauma-informed, welcoming spaces for the young people and young families seeking support from BYS. ❤️

We had the best day at the Musgrave Family Fun Day as a part of NAIDOC Week celebrations!

The BYS team was set-up with spray-on tattoos, friendship band weaving and some BYS giveaways.

Thanks so much to the organisers for having us, and all the friendly faces who came to say hi!

🖤💛❤️💙💚🤍

👕 Step up and dress down this Daggy Jumper Day to raise money for young people doing it tough! 🗓️

On Wednesday 7th August, rug up in a daggy jumper, silly sweater, or hideous hoodie to raise money to help young people find safe housing and build better, brighter futures. 💜

Read more and find out how to get involved at daggy.com.au

We're so grateful to have the support of partners like Flip!
“Brisbane Youth Service relies on community support and partnerships such as these because our funds are so tied to the work we do providing support to vulnerable young people. The collaboration with Flip has been invaluable in our efforts to raise awareness and advocate for change,” - Pam Barker, Brisbane Youth Service CEO.

Flip’s Head of Strategy, Bryce Schneider, shared the team’s passion for supporting BYS: “A big part of our mission statement is to support good people doing great things. BYS do amazing and vital work, which we’re very proud to play a small part in. With our offices being so close, we see the impact the BYS team makes every day, inspiring us and reinforcing our commitment to our partnership to support in any way we can.”

As we continue to support a growing number of vulnerable young people in Brisbane, partnerships like these underscore the importance of community collaboration in addressing complex social issues.

Flip Joins Forces with Brisbane Youth Service to Tackle Homelessness Crisis | Brisbane Youth Service In an inspiring collaboration, Flip has partnered with Brisbane Youth Service (BYS) to raise awareness of the homelessness crisis in Brisbane and advocate for crucial early intervention measures. Offering pro bono creative services, Flip has played a pivotal role in amplifying BYS’s mission throug...

Happy NAIDOC Week! 🖤💛❤️💙💚🤍
The 2024 NAIDOC theme ‘Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud & Proud’ is a call to honour the enduring spirit of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. As said by , “Standing tall, embracing our heritage, and amplifying our voices with unapologetic pride.”

NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth.

Together, we keep the fire burning.

Support networks are crucial for young people's wellbeing and growth. Last year, 77% of young people said their family, social, professional, and partner support improved after receiving assistance from BYS*. 💜



(*% of all young people who exited in 2022-23)

📆Come down and say hi to BYS at Musgrave Park Family Fun Day 2024 next Friday! The Musgrave Park Family Fun Day is a festival with live entertainment and activities showcasing aspects of First Nations People, culture and heritage; through performing arts, education, traditional foods, arts and crafts, to contemporary aspects promoted by First Nations entrepreneurs.

⭐Friday 12 July 9am – 5pm
⭐Corner of Cordelia and Edmondstone St South Brisbane
⭐ Spray on tattoos
⭐ Friendship band weaving in flag colours
⭐ BYS Programs Information

🌟 A heartfelt thank you to Apollo! 🌟

Throughout May, Apollo's amazing team held a Winter Food Drive to support BYS, collecting long life food, hygiene products, and even organising a meat tray raffle to raise funds for our essential services.
Last week, they visited our Fortitude Valley Hub to deliver these generous donations.

Big thanks to Apollo Property Group for their incredible support, we're so grateful for our partners who help us continue our vital work.

At Brisbane Youth Service, our commitment extends far beyond addressing immediate needs. We believe in providing holistic care that nurtures the mental and emotional well-being of every young person we support. Our dedicated team witnesses firsthand how, with the right supports in place, young individuals can transition from crisis to confidence, paving the way for brighter futures.

In 2022-2023, 71% of the young people who completed their journey with BYS shared that their mental health improved with BYS support.

Every success story is a testament to the transformative power of community, compassion, and comprehensive care. Together, we're building a supportive environment where young people can flourish mentally, emotionally, and socially.🌻✨🌷

With the cost of living and rental prices at an all-time high, more young people than ever are experiencing housing insecurity.

Support from Brisbane Youth Service is available to all young people between 12–25 who are at risk of homelessness, even if you’re employed or currently in a rental. We have specialist programs to help you sustain your tenancy and can provide advice on what relief might be available.

You may also be available for rental relief through direct applications to the Queensland Government. Visit qld.gov.au/housing/renting to view available support and eligibility requirements.

🎉Thanks to the generosity of Commonwealth Bank Brisbane City branches' customers and their Community Donations program, BYS has received a $2,000 donation to help vulnerable young people in our community. Not only that, but the additional donations of pillows, blankets, and sleeping bags collected across the branches will provide comfort and warmth to those who need it most. 🛏️💖

Our heartfelt thanks to all who contributed across Commonwealth Bank Brisbane City branches, and a special thank you to Deb Murphy, Indooroopilly Branch Manager, for coordinating this valued donation.

Do you know someone couch surfing but not sure how to help? Couch surfing is the most common form of homelessness for young people, putting them at high risk of exploitation.

Brisbane Youth Service helps young people aged between 12-25, and their children, with immediate crisis support and ongoing services that help them find safe, stable, and affordable accommodation.

You can also get emergency help at askizzy.org.au, Kids Helpline at 1800 55 1800 or the QLD Homeless Hotline at 1800 474 753 (for people over 16).

At Brisbane Youth Service we are proud of the outcomes we achieve with young people who come to us with a wide range of complex life experiences and challenges.

From crisis and emergency housing, to specialised programs that help create healthy relationships, BYS has a wide range of services that support young people navigate life’s challenges and thrive in our community.

If you’re a young person (aged between 12-25) facing homelessness, call us to make an appointment with a youth worker on 07 3620 2400.

You can also drop in without an appointment from 1-4pm, Monday to Friday at 42 McLachlan Street, Fortitude Valley.

Laura is a Senior Family Support Worker at Brisbane Youth Service. Every day she meets young women and children who have witnessed more than any child or young person should ever endure.

Laura sees first-hand the difference that can be made to young lives when they can access critical supports when needed most. With the right interventions, we can of violence and homelessness and create new futures for young people and their children.

Read more about Laura's work: https://give.brisyouth.org/break-the-cycle

When young people secure safe housing, they can focus on their future. At Brisbane Youth Service, we help stabilise young people’s housing situations which often leads to better employment and education outcomes.

51% of young people report that their education and employment situation is a bit or much better after our support*.



*% of all young people who exited in 2022-23.

🏳️‍🌈 June is PRIDE Month! 🏳️‍🌈

At BYS we welcome and celebrate all sexualities, genders, identities and cultures.

✊Did you know Pride Month started as a protest? In June 1969, the LGBTQIA+ community took a stand, protesting for civil rights and equality after a raid at a gay bar named the Stonewall Inn. This is now known as the "Stonewall Riots".

🏳️‍⚧️At the forefront of the Stonewall Riots were trans women of colour, including Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera. Sylvia was only 17 years old at the time!

For more info on Pride Month, including how the Australian Mardi Gras started, visit Minus18.

Access LGBTQIA+ support through the contacts on image two (image description in alt text).

✨Happy Pride Month!🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🫶

We're so proud to be a part of Foyer Invest QLD consortium that has advocated for investment in Youth Foyers, resulting in the Queensland Government's commitment to eight new Youth Foyers in the next ten years.

Youth Foyers are more than just a home. They use an 'Advantaged Thinking' approach which helps young people identify their goals and ambitions, while nurturing their talents and building life skills.

The evidence is clear - Youth Foyers help the community. Research shows that 80% of young people exiting Youth Foyers are moving into safe and stable housing, 65% gain stable employment, and many young people progress their education.

Thank you to the Foyer Foundation, Hand Heart Pocket and everyone in the Queensland FoyerInvest Working Group for your ongoing advocacy and support of this life-changing initiative.

Read more here:

How a philanthropic consortium is helping young people out of homelessness - Philanthropy Australia A recent Foyer Foundation initiative with Hand Heart Pocket and others resulted in the Queensland government committing $320 million to youth homelessness accommodation and support services. Here, we look at how that collaboration between a consortium of philanthropists, impact investors and service...

At St Joseph's College Gregory Terrace something special has been happening since 2011. Reidy House, a cornerstone of the College's commitment to social responsibility, has been on a mission to burst bubbles.

Imagine this: high school boys, armed with nothing more than a sleeping bag and a cup of soup, spending a night outside. It’s not about punishment; it’s about empathy, understanding, and a profound lesson in compassion.

Read more about Reidy Houses' Rough Night in and their ongoing work to support BYS here: brisyouth.org/how-st-josephs-college-gregory-terraces-rough-night-in-is-making-a-difference/

These regular donations of everyday essentials from Umbrella help young people living in BYS temporary supported accommodation to feel and look their best.

Thank you to Umbrella for your ongoing, generous support!

Many young parents we meet are seeking safety and stability for their families. From emergency accommodation to housing, counselling, parenting groups, and violence prevention programs, Brisbane Youth Service supports vulnerable young parents to build strong families and new, brighter futures.

Please DONATE TODAY to help break the cycle of violence and homelessness at https://give.brisyouth.org/break-the-cycle

Our programs work together to provide wrap around support to vulnerable young people.

The BYS Health team addresses physical and mental health needs through our free medical clinic, mental health services, early intervention / engagement with schools and family, and drug and alcohol supports.

Young people we meet often face stigma and discrimination that lead to difficulties navigating health care. Brisbane Youth Service is a judgement-free place for people between the ages of 12-25, and their children, at risk or experiencing homelessness.