YMCA HQ - Our Staff and Policies

Youth Pathways - A Step in the Right Direction

What is Youth Pathways?
Youth Pathways helps young people get through school and make the transition from school to further education, training or employment.

Youth Pathways delivers personalised assistance to meet your individual needs.

Youth Pathways is FREE to eligible Participants.

We currently have 6 case managers working on Youth Pathways in our region through the Northern Suburbs: Paul Connolly, Paul Fitzgerald, Ashley Guy, Linda Trunkfield, Corie Millett & Karen Johnson.

Am I Eligible for Youth Pathways?
- Are you struggling at school?
- Finding it all too intense?
- Thinking about leaving but not sure?
- Have you left school in the last 12 months?

You may eligible for Youth Pathways if you're aged between 13 and 19 and are thinking about leaving school without finishing year 12 or have left school recently without finishing year 12.

How does Youth Pathways Work?
Youth Pathways may be able to help you to get through school or make the move to other education and training easier by offering services, such as:

- Personal one-on-one assistance to help you work out your strengths, goals and the barriers getting in your way;
- Individual support and guidance to help you to overcome barriers;
- Support to help you achieve your goals; and
- Other services aimed at making you better equipped to successfully get through school and make your transition from school to further education, training or employment.

How do I find out more about Youth Pathways?
- Talk with your school careers advisers or teachers
- Call the YMCA Youth Pathways Hotline on 1800 610 185
- Visit the Youth Pathways website at www.youthpathways.dest.gov.au
- Email us at youthpathways@ymca.org.au
- Drop in and come see us at HQ
- Visit your local Centrelink office

Weekly Events

HQ holds numerous ongoing activities:

• Skate Clinics (Saturday mornings)
• Break dancing workshoops
• Graffiti art workshops
  
• Gigs
  
• Computer Classes (First Click, Second Click and Unlimited Potential Workshops)
  
• Skate Comps
  
• Art Exhibitions

Volunteers

We are always looking for more volunteers in the areas of:

• IT & Multimedia
• General Park supervision/youth work
  

If you have any skills in the above or other areas, please email US

Without Volunteers HQ would not survive.

The History of HQ

Initial Perth City Youth Survey | Liz Pattison's Opening Day Speech | HQ Start up Costs | HQ Original Management Plan

"Headquarters"
A World Class Youth Facility

(A Brief by the Rotary Club of Heirisson)

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 Headquarters.

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

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 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 Headquarters to grow and develop to its full potential.

Programs and Benefits

Headquarters:

• 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 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. 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.

Thanks to Rotary Club of Heirisson (and particularly Liz Pattison) for this information available from their website at: http://www.heirisson.club.rotary.org.au/hq.htm