YAA is the peak body for youth homelessness in NSW and it seeks to advocate for the needs of young people who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness in NSW. YAA does this whilst developing the capacity of the youth sector to respond to homelessness.
Established in 1979 it currently has 100 members, with a representative Board of Management comprised of 14 metro and regional representatives. Each of those Board members link into local and regional networks.
YAA has a broad range of consultation, sector development and policy strategies, including electronic and face to face networks, publications, and regular bi –monthly policy forums.
YAA will be running an annual conference ‘Stop Revive Survive’ commencing in August 2008 aimed at energising the sector and developing capacity amongst members.
YAA works in partnership with other State peaks, State and Federal Government Departments and through the National Youth Coalition for Housing as well as Homeless Australia.
Michael Coffey CEO, along with Kevin Crowe YAA President are the NSW delegates on NYCH, Michael is also on the board of Homelessness Australia
The current public work that YAA is running is the YOUTH HOMELESSNESS MATTERS campaign.
YAA also runs an number of direct services which positions the organisation to have first hand knowledge around practices and policy related to service provision for young people at risk of or experiencing homelessness. These services include the Youth Emergency Accommodation Line (YEAL) Project (aka the Vacancy Line), Health Outreach Team (HOT project), Foundations Project (providing best practice tools in service delivery, HR and governance) and the temporary auspice of youth homeless services. YAA also supports new initiatives such as the establishment of the first Foyer project in Australia via the Live N Learn Foundation in 2002.
For more information about YAA please refer other parts of our website.
TYPES OF MEMBERSHIP
Organisational Membership (OM)
Open to organisations who provide accommodation or support services to young people who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness in NSW. Membership is also open to organisations who are concerned with overcoming youth homelessness in Australia and want to support the campaign work of YAA.
Individual Membership (IM)
Open to an individual who is concerned with overcoming youth homelessness in Australia and wants to support the campaign work of YAA. This type of membership is also open to individuals who may be working with young homeless people.
Associate Membership (AM)
Means any Non-Government organisation concerned with the provision of youth housing and accommodation or other relevant support services for young people experiencing homelessness, or who are concerned with overcoming youth homelessness in Australia and want to support the campaign work of YAA.
Under the current YAA constitution, only organisational and individual members have full voting rights at General Meetings. It also prohibits individual and associate members from standing for the YAA Board of Management. All Members of the Board must be a staff member or management member of an organisational member.
A full copy of the YAA constitution can be downloaded from the 'About Us' section of the website.
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
Advocacy and Support
Members become part of a movement to eradicate youth homelessness in Australia and receive access to campaign material and advice and information about current issues effecting young homeless people and services who work to support them.
YAA holds General Meetings & Policy forums every 2 months as a way to communicate with members about issues effecting them and young homeless people. YAA staff also organise and attend regional forums as appropriate to maintain links with regional members.
Organisational members can also receive practical support for service delivery issues as well as advocacy support in their local area.
Training
YAA provides training from time to time on practice and management issues relating to youth homelessness for members and non members. Where there is a charge for training members receive a special discount.
The HOT project also provides regular training to youth workers, caseworkers and managers with regards to supporting young homeless people with their specialised health needs. Currently the HOT project provides training on working with HIV/AIDs and blood born viruses.
Access to Resources
YAA regularly produces resources such as model policies, campaign materials and tools for working with young people at risk of or experiencing homelessness. Many of these are available via our website but members can request specific assistance on matters as needed.
YAA also provides access to current research and statistics on youth homelessness and produces a bi-annual peer reviewed journal on youth homelessness called Undercurrent.
E-Newsletter and E-groups Mailing List
YAA members will be automatically added to our e-group email network and will receive our regular E-Grapevine with news and communication about current issues effecting young homeless people and the services that support them.
In order to become a member you must agree with the aims & objectives of the organization. The aims & objectives are summarized in ou vision statement:
“Young people are supported appropriately within their family and the wider community or are able to make a smooth transition to independence through a comprehensive youth housing system and to have access to support and services.”
If you agree then you are on your way to becoming a member of YAA. To download the member application form please click here.