Get to know us Who we are Who we are Est. 1984 At Youth Projects, we are committed to breaking the cycle of disadvantage. Youth Projects, founded in 1984, is an independent, registered charity that provides health, outreach, employment, education, and training services to individuals experiencing disadvantage including unemployment, homelessness, mental health challenges, and alcohol and other drug dependency. Youth Projects operates under six domains of service: homelessness, primary health, mental health, alcohol and other drugs, employment and training, and social enterprise. We are committed to breaking the cycle of disadvantage. For 40 years we have provided frontline support to young people and individuals experiencing disadvantage, unemployment, homelessness, and alcohol and other drug barriers. Recognising the complex and varying needs of the people we work with, we go above and beyond, 365 days a year, to provide pathways out of poverty. We see the whole person and meet them where they are at. Comprised of a highly skilled multi-disciplinary team, we provide a complete wrap-around, judgement-free service with a strong focus on respect, client-centred care, and harm minimisation. 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 are not only changing lives, but saving lives. From prevention to crisis response - We tackle the whole system With a workforce of close to 170 people across the north, west, east, and inner suburbs of Melbourne, Youth Projects promotes inclusion, builds resilience, and creates opportunities by providing person-centred, holistic, and wrap-around services. Youth Projects programs and initiatives address the complex needs prevalent among disadvantaged people, with services that respond to the needs of our most vulnerable, including employment, education, training, healthcare, mobile outreach, mental health, harm reduction, and alcohol and other drug support. Our ability to work in the upstream, preventative, and early intervention space, whilst also delivering downstream, unique, and tailored crisis responses, enables us to see the whole person. [CG1] We understand the driving factors of poverty and disadvantage and use theories of self-determination and trauma-informed practices to support those who have fallen through the cracks of the ‘system’. We focus on being both the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff helping those with critical and immediate needs, whilst building stronger and more efficient fences at the top of the cliff through our early intervention focus. 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 might just be the next changemaker or frontline warrior we are looking for. Check out our Careers page for opportunities. Manage Cookie Preferences