Southern Youth & Family Services

CHAIN offers a range of drop-in supports for Young People who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness. These include breakfast, showers, laundry facilities and access to information/referrals to assist with housing, financial issues and health issues. Call 4240 4800 or drop into 1a Denison St, Wollongong.

Homelessness Week is an annual campaign to build community support and government commitment to end homelessness.

During the week homelessness services and community groups raise awareness of the impact of homelessness, and the solutions needed to end homelessness, and advocate for change via national and local community events, media and social media activities.

In 2024, Homelessness Week 2024 is from Monday August 5 to Sunday August 11.

The theme for Homelessness Week 2024 is “Homelessness Action Now”.

The SYFS Annual Raffle is on again with 11 amazing prizes on offer!
All money raised goes to help fund SYFS Education, Employment and Training proframs assisting vulnerable and at-risk young people attain independence and a better quality of life.
Get your tickets here - https://charity.syfs.org.au/raffle/2024

Thank you to the Rotary Cluns of the Illawarra and the entire community!

If you'd like to bid for either or both of these amazing BMX bikes courtesy of B's Bike Worx, just jump on their page and enter your bid in the comments section of the original post below!
Funds raised will be donated straight to Ride4Rotary
See more details below!!

Go Team!!

Today is Youth Homelessness Matters Day. For more information please visit: https://www.yfoundations.org.au/yhmd-2024

Tomorrow is Youth Homelessness Matters Day. Youth Homelessness Matters Day is the annual national day to raise awareness, break stereotypes, and advocate for greater supports for young people experiencing homelessness.

❗ If you haven't brushed your teeth before getting into bed, this is your reminder ❗

Brushing your teeth every day is not done just to keep your breath fresh and mouth feeling clean. It is an important part of keeping your teeth, mouth, and whole body healthy and should be done morning and night for 2 minutes each time.

For more information on the importance of brushing your teeth and tips for oral hygiene, visit https://www.teeth.org.au/brushing-teeth.

Southern Youth and Family Services were again the recipients of SleepSafe packs from StreetSmart Australia.
Our thanks go to Sheridan and StreetSmart Australia for their ongoing support and commitment to homeless people.
These kits assist us to provide essential items to some of the most vulnerable people in our community, and they are gratefully received.

Next Friday the 8th of March is International Women’s day!

The campaign theme for International Women's Day 2024 is Inspire Inclusion. When we inspire others to understand and value women's inclusion, we forge a better world- and when women themselves are inspired to be included, there's a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment. Collectively, let's forge a more inclusive world for women.

CHAIN is hosting a BBQ and friendship bracelet making activity to celebrate on Friday 8/3/24 11am- 1pm.

This event will coincide with our CHAIN Young Mums Group, however all Young People are welcome to attend.

Today is National Condom Day! Free condoms are always available at CHAIN.

Move over St Valentine, today is not all about you.

It also happens to be National Condom Day!

National Condom Day is celebrated on February 14 to raise awareness about practicing safer s*x. The day promotes conversations about using condoms during s*xual activities, the correct usage of condoms, and reducing the shame attached to buying and carrying condoms.

It celebrates healthy relationships, highlights the importance of safe and consensual s*x, and promotes positive s*xual and reproductive health.

Check out https://ow.ly/kEhI50QA18t to see how you can safely wrap up and get down on Valentine’s Day and National Condom Awareness Day.

We love the inclusive poster from our friends at Sexual Health Quarters in Western Australia. Visit their webpage https://ow.ly/KCAp50QA18w for more information on National Condom Day and the chance to add your own translations.

If you would like free condoms for your service visit https://ow.ly/V2gI50QA18u

*xualhealth *xpositive *x

In NSW, too many are stuck in the waiting game for a home on the social housing waitlist.
If you're waiting for a home – we want to hear from you. Your story can help us to create change for the better.

Share your story and help us fix this crisis.

Share your story - confrontthecrisis.com Are you struggling to find a home? Are you having a hard time keeping your home? You are not alone […]

There are far too many on hold for a home on the social housing waitlist here in NSW. If you are one of them – we’d like to hear from you.

Your voice has the power to push for the change we need, demand action, and pave the way for a brighter housing future in NSW.

Your story plays a crucial role in shaping solutions to this crisis.

Share your story - confrontthecrisis.com Are you struggling to find a home? Are you having a hard time keeping your home? You are not alone […]

SYFS would also like to thank Peak After-School Care Shellharbour and Hillsong Church for their generous donations this Christmas.

A massive thank you to Ray White Dapto & Horsley for their kind gift donations supporting SYFS and those most in need this Christmas.

SYFS would like to sincerely thank Ray White Shellharbour City & South Wollongong and The Lions Club of Shellharbour for their generous donations supporting disadvantaged youth and families this Christmas.

We'd once again like to thanks The Fraternity Club for their generous support at this timem of year.

It's the most wonderful time of the year 🎁

Thank you to all our wonderful members who were able to give gifts to our Christmas Giving Tree Charity Drive.

The work Southern Youth & Family Services in our community is incredible. They truly appreciate what you do to help them give special gifts to young families.

Thank you 💙

SYFS were extremely grateful to be a part of the Rotary Belonging Festival Diversification Youth Workshop Dinner last night at Wests Illawarra Leagues Club.
Pictured here are SYFS young people and staff who along with a diverse range of community stakeholders all came together to brainstorm and discuss opportunities for growth within the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) space.

SYFS was grateful to have the amazingly talented Amali Dimond perfrorm at our Youth and Family Awards earlier this month to help celebrate the incredible achievements of so many vulnerable and disadvantaged young people and families.
Pictured here is Amali with SYFS CEO Narelle Clay and SYFS Partnership and Activities Liaison Jason Saladino.

https://www.syfs.org.au/news/young-people-and-families-honoured-by-syfs-for-their-achievements/

YOUNG PEOPLE AND FAMILIES HONOURED BY SYFS FOR THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS | Southern Youth and Family Services YOUNG PEOPLE AND FAMILIES HONOURED BY SYFS FOR THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS Posted 20 hours ago - Select to view news archive 3 Minute(s) to read The annual Southern Youth and Family Services (SYFS) Youth and Family Awards took place at SYFS Youth and Family Centre in Warilla on Thursday November 2nd.The awar...

A big congratulations to the following people who were winners of our 2023 Raffle which was drawn at the Southern Youth and Family Centre in Warilla on Thursday November 2nd.
Paul Issa - Thermonix TM6 from Portico
Elijah Ahearn - Surfboard from WAVE Surfboards
Tim Brown - iPad from Virtual IT
Joanne Issa - Wollongong Bike Hub voucher
Justin Sweeney - Signed framed Illawarra Hawks Jersey
Aidan Robard - Signed Framed St Goerge Illawarra Dragons Jersey
Jeff Ritchie - Beauty by Beck Pamper Pack
Emily Trigg - EZVIA Outdoor Security Camera from AST Technologies
Justin Sweeney - Domayne Electrical Warrawong Pack
Adam Stewart - 2 tickets to Freestyle Kings Live at the WIN Entertainment Centre and a $100 Lagoon Seafood Restaurant Voucher.

A big thank you to all of our amazing prize providers!

Our Financial Counselling Service is hosting a Gambling Awareness Workshop on Tuesday 17th October at CHAIN. Please call 0412 179 719 to book or for more information.

CHAIN hosted a World Mental Health Day BBQ event on Tuesday, kindly sponsored by Rapid Relief Team AU. The young people and staff enjoyed the opportunity to catch up and enjoy amazing burgers. Thanks to the Rapid Relief Team for a lovely day.

Today CHAIN held an RUOK? Day event, sharing food, laughter and a sense of community. The team and young people created a Tree with everyone’s fingerprints to signify the connections built at SYFS. For more information check out https://www.ruok.org.au.