Colliers International is one of United Way Queensland’s corporate partners and is supporting our mission to improve the lives of those in need through their Golf Day.

$30,000 has been provided to support Brisbane Youth Services.

Background

Brisbane Youth Service (BYS) commenced operations in 1977 providing outreach, referral & follow-up support to disadvantaged & homeless young people on the streets in inner-city area.
Currently BYS has over 60 staff & volunteers both full and part-time working as:

• Homelessness and Housing Team
• Casual Drop In Staff
• Young Families Team
• Health Team
• Youth Development Team
• Administration Team

BYS has support & funding from a range of government departments – both state & federal such as:
Mental Health Council of Australia, Brisbane City Council, Jupiter’s Community Benefit Fund and Gambling Community Benefit Fund also provide funds for special services & activities and equipment.

Homeless Young Persons Assessment and Referral Program.
BYS is currently experiencing unprecedented numbers of homeless young people (aged 12-25 years) who are turning to us for help. The proposed funding will be used to directly support these homeless young people and provide crisis intervention, needs assessment and referrals either to internal BYS services or external services in the wider community.

Wages/contracts (3 days/week for 6 months)              $17,000
Administrative support                                                  $3,000
Travel (and accommodation for young people)             $4,000
Insurance                                                                      $1,000

Findings:

With the introduction of the Homeless Young Person Assessment and Referral Program the Brisbane Youth Service has been able to further build its capacity to streamline several of its key services leading to an increase in consistency, continuity and positive outcomes. 

This has been done primarily through the employment of one additional staff member to act in a key role to assess clients primary needs and refer them to BYS specialist personnel and/or external agencies to gain additional support.  

This additional staff member has impacted the community and contributed to BYC:

• supported 227 young people in the last 5 months with 2 046 contacts.
• Has provided 262 incidences of financial support including food parcels, payment of rent arrears and travel warrants
• 182 referrals for crisis, short and long term housing
• 332 referrals for personal support including Drug and Alcohol Counselling, Behavioral management, pregnancy support and relationship issues
• Administered to 1894 practical issues including crisis phone calls, meals and showers and storage needs.
• Increased the liaison with crisis care accommodation centres giving BYS clients increased access to these facilities at shorter notice.
• Increased the amount of clients visiting BYS health clinic to address physical and psychological needs
• Increased the amount of client seeking legal advice.
• Increasing the number of clients under case management and training programs.
• Increased continuity for new clients leading to increased retention