About Us
History
Youth Futures WA has had a number of name changes represeting its growth and expansion over the years. The Service was established in response to the identified needs of young people living in the previously known geographical area of the City of
In 1984 Project Officers of the Whitford Community Youth Support Scheme, namely Caron Irwin and Stephanie Durack, were continually approached by young people looking for accommodation as a result of family breakdown often the result of domestic violence. As a result of this research was conducted involving Western Australian Institute of Teaching students. The findings of this research, coupled with experiences of other professionals working in the field, e.g. Anglicare, local high schools, and financial counsellors from the City of
Funding was sought by Wanneroo Social Planning Inc under the Crisis Accommodation Program and the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program, which are jointly funded by the Commonwealth and State Governments, for the establishment of a medium term supported accommodation house catering for 14 – 19 year olds. A grant of $99,000 for the establishment of a purpose built youth accommodation house was announced in January 1986 under the CAP program. As a result of this funding a small task group was established and was the initial basis for the the Service. It was very quickly revealed that the task ahead for a community group was a mammoth one. During the planning phase a valuable contribution to this task was made by Ken Eaton, engineer, who designed and drew up the plans for the hostel. A block was chosen and is the present site of the hostel. During the period of construction many obstacles not foreseen in the initial days of receiving the grant had to be overcome.
Builder, John Hollywood, was selected to construct the hostel. The commitment of the management committee members Pat Tassell,
The December opening date proved impossible to achieve and the house finally opened its doors on March 27 1988.
The hostel was named TINOCA ( Teenagers in need of crisis accommodation), to reflect the committment of the local community to improve the living conditions of young people in crisis. During this time the Service was granted, under the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program, funding for the employment of workers to run internally supported accommodation in an attempt to alleviate the immediate plight of many young people in the community.
Since that time, the house has comtinued to achieve its aim of providing short term accommodation for young people in our community faced with the crisis of homelessness.
In February1990 the Service became incorporated as Wanneroo Youth Accommodation Services (WYAS).
In December 1991 WYAS employed the services of an Employment Officer to assist with residents’ employment, education and training interests and pursuits. In July 1993 the employment program became officially funded and recognised as a Job Placement and Employment Training Programme funded through the Commonwealth Dept of Health, Housing, Local Governments and Community Services.
Funding was obtained in August 1990, through the Community Residential Tenancy Program, to run an provide externally supported transitional accommodation program for up the three young people at any one time. This program operated in rented accommodation in Craigie and Padbury until in November 1992 a house was purchased in Heathridge with money granted from the Crisis Accommodation Program (CAP). In June 1994 the purchase of a second house in Craigie for this program was approved by the State Minister for Housing .
In January 1995 the Service was renamed Wanneroo Accommodation and Support Services to reflect the expanded range of support provided to the young people of the region.
In May 2000 discussions were held with local community housing provider Northside Housing Association (now know as Foundation Housing) to consider the possibility of separating the roles of property manager/landlord and support work to enable young people to have a clear distinction between their tenancy responsibilities and their overall SAAP case management participation. In June 2000, the pilot program commenced for duration of 6 months to trial the separation of the property manager/landlord and support. In October 2001 an agreement was formalised for the separation of the landlord/property manager role and the support role. The Deed of Trust over the properties in Heathridge and Craigie were relinguished so that the properties could be leased to NHA under their CAP program.
In November 2000 the Service name was changed to Joondalup Youth Support Services to acknowlege the creation of the City of Joondalup and to more accurately reflect the area where the Service was situated as the office had relocated to the newly opened Joondalup Lotteries House.
During early 2002 renovations were carried out at TINOCA to allow for separate gender resident wings and to allow each resident the safety and security of thie own bedroom. In August 2002 the Minister Mr Tom Stevens launched these completed renovations and advised that a third house for the TAP program in the Joondalup area.
In September 2010 the Service name was changed to Youth Futures WA to reflect the expanded area serviced and the updated strategic Vision and Mission.
The Service has continued to grow and has expanded into three main service streams; Homelessness Support, Education & Training and Employment & Support
Our Vision
Empowering young people to actively engage in healthy and fulfilling personal and social relationships
Our Mission
Strengthening families and communities where young people are valued and celebrated
