Brisbane Youth Service

Recently, we joined the Property Industry Foundation (PIF) at Eat Street Northshore for the #BackseatSleepOut - an event bringing people together to raise awareness and support for young people facing homelessness. Essie, one of the brave young parents we support, shared her story of resilience. Like many young people, Essie didn’t choose homelessness. She left an unsafe home environment in search of safety for herself and her young children. Today, Essie and her family live in temporary motel accommodation as we work tirelessly to secure them a permanent home. In a recent play therapy session, Essie’s young daughter hugged a doll and said, “Now they are going to a safe hotel.” This small moment reminds us all of what safety and stability means to children. Thanks to emergency government funding, we are currently able to provide short-term motel accommodation for families like Essie’s. But motels are not a sustainable solution. At any given time, we have roughly 50 young families are staying in motels across Brisbane - far from the stable, long-term housing they need to thrive. That’s why we’re advocating for increased investment in long-term housing options. Every young person deserves a safe place to grow, heal, and move forward without fear. Thank you to PIF and our incredible supporters for helping us make new futures possible for Brisbane’s young people. #EndYouthHomelessness #NewFutures

A huge thank you to our amazing partner, Property Industry Foundation, for helping us bring the new Youth Support Centre at 518 Brunswick Street to life! 📦📦📦 It’s been a big job, but we’re thrilled to announce that we've now moved in and are ready to resume services on Monday! PIF has been instrumental in turning the building into a welcoming place for young people. Their generous contributions and hands-on support have made all the difference. 🌟 Thank you, PIF, for being part of this journey! #NewFutures #EndYouthHomelessness

How it started ➡️ How it's going Check out how local legend Jordan from Brightsiders (brightsiders.com.au) transformed the pylons at our new Youth Support Centre! Once an Arts Health Educator here at BYS, Jordan returned to create an art installation that embodies the hope and resilience of young people. PS We're still closed until Monday as we get the space ready...we can’t wait for you to see it! 👀

📢 Important Update: Temporary Service Closure The Brisbane Youth Service Valley ‘Hub’ will close at 3 pm today (Friday 25 October). We will be providing phone support only from Monday 28 until Wednesday 30 October, and will be closed on Thursday 31 October and Friday 1 November. Face-to-face support services will resume from Monday 4 November at our new location, 518 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley. Please see brisyouth.org for the latest information. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we move to a bigger, better space. We can’t wait to welcome you! 🌟

Heartfelt thanks to the amazing tfm.digital team for donating these bikes! 🚲 Your generosity is already making a huge difference, empowering young people to explore new opportunities, stay active, and connect with their community. We appreciate your support and commitment!

For over a decade, MinterEllison has supported BYS through pro bono legal advice, volunteering at working bees, and even donning daggy jumpers for the cause! What's more, their work has been instrumental in securing the leases for our new Youth Support Centre and Young Women, Families, and Safe Relationships Centre, creating safe spaces for young people in need. We’re grateful for their ongoing support in helping us break the cycle of homelessness. Read the story to see how MinterEllison’s contributions have enabled us to expand critical services and discover how your organisation could partner with BYS to make a lasting impact.

🖤💛❤️ Our visit to The Ration Shed Museum on Wakka Wakka Country was a powerful reminder of the resilience and strength of the Cherbourg community and the importance of truth-telling on the journey to reconciliation. At Brisbane Youth Service, we envision a just society that respects and values the histories, rights, and cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. With almost a third of young people accessing our services identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, we are committed to delivering culturally safe, supportive programs that help young people thrive. The Ration Shed Museum is an incredible place to experience this resilience and pride firsthand, preserving stories for future generations while fostering healing and connection. We encourage everyone to visit and support this effort toward cultural understanding and reconciliation.

Young people, often on very low incomes with limited rental history, face barriers at every turn when trying to access housing. The private rental market is often out of reach, and the social housing waitlist keeps growing - in fact, it's grown by 55 per cent since 2017, with an average 27-month wait. In Brisbane, the situation is at a crisis point, with bleak options for those in need of emergency accommodation. To address the housing crisis and protect vulnerable young people, we need to: 1️⃣ Limit annual rent increases to align with the Consumer Price Index. 2️⃣ Remove 'end of a fixed term' as a reason to end tenancies. 3️⃣ Implement energy efficiency standards, such as ceiling insulation, to reduce costs and make homes safer. Without these protections, more young people will be forced into homelessness. We must do better to ensure a fairer, safer housing future for all. Visit townofnowhere.com to learn more. #NewFutures #EndYouthHomelessness #TownOfNowhere

From October 19 to 27, we celebrate Children’s Week, honouring children's rights, talents, and achievements nationwide. 🌟 At Brisbane Youth Service, we support young people aged 12-25 and their children. Almost 1 in 3 of the young people we assist are parents. We’re dedicated to empowering these young families, ensuring both parents and their children have a bright future ahead. We are committed to being a child-safe organisation, prioritising the safety, well-being, and human rights of all children and young people. Join us this week in celebrating the incredible strength and resilience of young people and young families. Together, let's build a community where every child feels safe, valued, and empowered. 💛#NewFutures #EndYouthHomelessness #ChildrensWeek

BYS is moving! The ‘Hub’ at 42 McLachlan Street will close at 3 pm on Friday 25 October. Support Services Update: Monday 28 – Wednesday 30 October: Phone support. Thursday 31 October & Friday 1 November: Closed. Support services will resume from Monday 4 November, at our new Youth Support Centre, located just 500 metres away at 518 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley. Please see brisyouth.org for the latest information.