2016-2017 IMPACT REPORT

YFS works with people to build hope and aspirations in many ways.

Our R4Respect initiative is based on hope that young people can change the way we see relationships. In 2016-17 our 15 R4Respect youth ambassadors talked with more than 5,000 young  people about respect in relationships. They also used social media to engage with thousands more. In September 2016, R4Respect Ambassadors attended the international Prevalent & Preventable Domestic Violence international conference in Adelaide to share stories about young people leading change with delegates from around Australia, New Zealand, the Asia Pacific and Europe.

During the year, R4Respect partnered with Griffith University film students to produce some animated videos to prevent disrespectful or controlling behaviours like cat calling, stalking and locker room stalk. The seven “Bad Apple” videos feature fruit and vegetable puns to raise young people’s awareness of the serious implications of behaviours that are often seen as harmless.

YFS’ Reconciliation Action Plan is founded in hope. In 2016-17 we embedded the plan’s themes of relationships, respect and opportunity in every YFS team. We are pleased to see that 13% of our staff, 21% of our case management clients and 8% of our case work clients  identified as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander in the year under review.  When we opened our new premises at 372 Kingston Road Slacks Creek in October 2016 we were pleased to include co-location space for the Logan District Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation for Elders.

Looking forward: In 2017-18, YFS will launch Sure Steps, a family coaching approach to help public housing tenants with young children identify and achieve aspirations for their families. We developed the approach in consultation with Logan Together and the Department of Housing and Public Works, and look forward to trialling it with 30 Logan families.

YFS is funded by the Australian Government and the Queensland Government.

YFS acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are Australia's First

Peoples and the traditional owners and custodians of the land on which we meet and work.

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When Capreze, 19, realised the impact of her father’s absence in her life, she turned to drugs to cope. She was used to feeling sad until earlier this year, when she decided to look for help. “I wanted to give YFS a go. I had seen YFS’ sign before and I just walked in. When I came in I was a bit shy and nervous and then my confidence grew from there.”

Capreze lives with her family. She likes listening to music and helping others. She recently started a new job as a Customer Service Representative at a fish & chip shop in Daisy Hill. She came to YFS in January and worked closely with Mariann from the SHIFT program. “I started counselling and started to feel better. Mariann helped me get my licence and also helped me with my resume and a few job interviews.”

As Capreze’s confidence kept improving she also asked YFS’ Employer Engagement and Transition Officer, Kiran, to help her to look for work. “I wanted to get somewhere in life,” she says. Kiran mentored Capreze and then successfully connected her with her current employer. He says Capreze was determined to make the most out of any opportunity that would come along. “She was so motivated, she made it happen. She just wants to learn and do more every day.”

Capreze admits she’s learnt great things along the way. “I asked for help because I wanted to get out there, go back to work. The opportunity came up. I had a trial session for four hours one day and I got the job because I did so well.”

“I find my job pretty good. I’m not afraid to ask for help or help them do anything in the shop. I’m now working five days a week, around four to five hours a day, sometimes seven if we’re really busy.”

She’s still attending counselling and she says she now has a better understanding of life. “After counselling I feel good. It’s really helped me. I completely stopped doing drugs. I know I’m doing really well. It has helped me to go further in life and not be afraid to try new things or ask for help.” Becoming more confident has helped Capreze to continue with her life. She now wants to study. “My next move is to get into aged care. I’m planning to get my Certificate. Being able to give back to people and helping others makes me happy.”