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About YMCA HQ - A World Class Youth Facility

YMCA Headquarters is a $3m+ leading edge, multi purpose youth facility which had its formal opening on 23rd February 2002. It is the result of more than five years work by the key partners – the Rotary Club of Heirisson, the Town of Vincent, LotteryWest and the Skateboarding Association of WA (SKAWA).

Heirisson has an ongoing involvement in guiding the success of YMCA Headquarters.

Key areas of service delivery are skating, art, internet / information technology and training, within an innovative youth development framework.

YMCA Headquarters is a Centre of Excellence and provides services and activities for young people in a safe environment. Memoranda of Agreement and close working relationships have been developed with the WA Police Service and Central Metropolitan College of TAFE.

The concept for the facility was developed from a comprehensive survey of over 600 young people undertaken to understand young people’s views and expectations and their needs in relation to youth facilities.

The 1st of November 2004 marked the next stage of YMCA Headquarters evolution, when the Rotary Club of Heirisson, as members of the Headquarters Board, played a key role in the handover of the facility to the YMCA to enable YMCA Headquarters to grow and develop to its full potential.

Programs and Benefits

• provides innovative development and training programs for young people, including opportunities to: - participate in leading-edge training and employment initiatives linked to State and Federal Government programs;
  • organise a range of events and performances, including international-standard skateboarding competitions;
  • teach other young people (for example skateboarders offering alternative sports programs for local schools);
  • develop skills in information and communications technologies, including Web design and eCommerce; and
  • participate in a permaculture projects.
• fosters young musicians and artists, providing opportunities for these young people to develop and showcase their talents;
• encourages a volunteer ethos in young people by involvement in community service activities at YMCA Headquarters and within the wider community;
• delivers a wide range of YMCA youth programs, services and advice relevant to the needs of young people; and
• creates a safe, drug and alcohol free, environment for a range of recreational and leisure activities, fostering a sense of ownership and belonging.

The outcomes are proving be far-reaching as a result of developing the potential of young people and creating a positive image of youth. YMCA Headquarters is the first facility of its kind and provides a model for other facilities throughout Western Australia. It also provides an example of the way in which Rotary can work in partnership with others, leveraging the skills and networks of its members for significant community benefit.