Canterbury Youth Service (CYS) is a Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP) funded service and has recently moved under the auspice by Youth Accommodation Association (YAA).
CYS is committed to providing accommodation and personal support to young people who are homeless or ‘at risk’ of becoming homeless. CYS works with youth aged between 16-24 years of age, with a strong focus on culturally and linguistically diverse communities. CYS is a unique service as it is one of the only medium term accommodation youth services that provides comprehensive assistance to marginalized refugee and unaccompanied culturally diverse youth communities within NSW. The service has no gender, religious, ethnic or sexuality bias. No person is to be excluded on the grounds of gender, religion, nationality or sexual preference.
The service is currently operating four accommodation services, in addition to the formal community housing partnerships with Affordable Housing. Furthermore, CYS also provides an extensive outreach component for the local youth community. The service serves as a stepping stone towards independent living for young people with a commitment to assisting them to develop their interpersonal skills and social capital. CYS encourages the development of external personal support networks, independence and self-reliance.
Formal and Informal Programs include:
- Personalized Case Management,
- Support to learn English and other formal educational institutions,
- Assistance to obtain/maintain financial support as well as financial counseling,
- Assistance to obtain/maintain Independent Housing,
- Living Skills and Personal Development leading to enhanced skills leading to better employment opportunities,
- Educational support,
- Assistance in seeking Employment/further Training,
- Assistance with legal issues and court support,
- Recreation and leisure activities/social connection ,
- Support and encourage stronger cultural communities through local agencies, community groups and business,
- Assistance with Refugee and Immigration issues,
- Assistance and support with Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol concerns,
- Family reunification support and contact to family members living overseas,
- Support and assistance for Gay and Lesbian clients,
- Quality Information workshops,
- Referrals/Advocacy/Liaison on behalf of clients,
- Linking into mainstream services and resources to assist with resettlement needs,
- Addressing discrimination within local community and promoting inclusion,
- The service can only consider applications from clients with a demonstrated commitment to either moving on to independent living or returning to the family home.
Recruitment into CYS:
For the stability of the service and the client, priority is given to young people who intend to stay for medium-term accommodation.
Canterbury Youth Services accommodation and programs will be provided equally for male and female clients and no client will be discriminated against on the grounds of gender, religious, ethnic or sexuality orientation.
Although clients from any locality within NSW can apply, preference will be given to young people from the local area.
Eligibly Criteria:
All young people will be individually assessed to identify their needs and to work out whether CYS is the most appropriate service for them.
If a young person is not accepted then they will be informed about the reasons why they were not accepted and they will be given support to find a more appropriate service.
Contact Details:
Phone: (02) 9718 1200
Fax: (02) 9789 2040
Address: Office 1, 134-142 Beamish Street
Campsie NSW 2194
Postal: PO Box 180
Campsie NSW 2194