Who we are

Est. 1984

At Youth Projects, we are committed to breaking the cycle of disadvantage.

We are an independent, registered charity which provides front line support to young people and individuals experiencing disadvantage, unemployment, homelessness, alcohol and other drug issues. We also help those looking to re-engage with learning and employment. We recognise the complex and varying needs of the people we work with and go above and beyond, 365 days a year, to provide pathways out of poverty.

We are not only changing lives, but saving lives.

Comprised of a highly skilled multi-disciplinary team, we have the ability to provide a complete wrap around, judgement free service with a strong focus on respect, client-centred care and harm prevention. The impact we seek enables each person to lead longer lives, have improved health, meaningful employment and a greater sense of belonging, safety and security through a holistic model of care.

We work with people facing barriers to social and economic participation with a primary focus on young people and people experiencing homelessness to provide responsive and timely intervention to open up pathways out of poverty and homelessness - breaking the cycle of disadvantage.

If you love the work we do, consider paying it forward and donate today. All contributions help us reach more young people, and change more lives.

If you are wondering how you can use your skills and expertise to create social good then you may just be the next Change Maker or frontline warrior we are looking for.

Check out our Careers page for opportunities.

Latest

Nurturing the next generation of Youth Workers

We recently teamed up with RMIT to provide students studying Youth Work to explore the sociological impacts on young people and facilitate practical change projects as part of their studies.
Client Engagement Officer

Work at the heart of an organisation providing high impact support to young people and people experiencing homelessness.
Acacia's Story

It started out like any other typical Monday at work, but just she was due to clock off she was let go. After experiencing bouts of depression, Acacia picked back up to complete a Certificate IV in Community Services and has now found her purpose and a meaningful path in life.
Darcy's Story

Over the course our 3-week EST program, Darcy worked closely with one of our Youth Employment Specialists to identify his goals, aspirations and the areas he would need to develop to get into his chosen field.

Reshaping a collective response to harm reduction

The escalation of the pandemic has forcibly reshaped the AOD and homelessness sector's collective priorities, resources, and capacity for overdose prevention, resulting in a radical re-think of harm reduction and overdose response activities at Youth Projects.
OPINION | Last line of defence, front line of ending homelessness

We live in a first world country, yet we continue to accept homelessness as an intractable program that we would love to fix, if only we knew how. But, we do.
OPINION | A stark contrast of journeys through a broken system

It was in one exact moment that I saw so clearly just how differently the fork in the road can go; our childhoods bonded by circumstance, yet our journeys in such contrast. We know that homelessness can be solved, and I will not stop fighting to end homelessness.
COVID-19 Update 01 August 2020

What does COVID-19 mean for any interactions you might have with Youth Projects. Current as at 01 August 2020.
Lachlan's Story

We are not surprised that Lachlan was able to achieve so much in such a small amount of time! It was an absolute pleasure to support him through his journey and incredible to see how confident he has become.
After dark on Melbourne's streets with a Night Nurse

"We have no fancy equipment or medication on us, not even a doctor. What we do have is a backpack filled with basic medical supplies, our collective experience as nurses and compassion."
Speak up during COVID-19

We're still here to bring you the support you need during this critical time. Check out what additional support is available to you.
Donate

Our vision is to break the cycle of disadvantage enabling people to lead longer, healthier and better lives with a greater sense of belonging in the community.