The Journey
Four Decades of Empowering Youth and Fighting Homelessness
Albany Youth Support Association (AYSA) has been helping young people and their families for over 40 years. Driven by community concern for the increasing number of Young People sleeping rough or in their cars, finding themselves homeless and at risk.
Young House was established with government funding and in the last thirty-eight years Young House has been both a home and a haven for nearly 3,000 homeless and at risk Young People.
Today AYSA is the leading youth homelessness service and outreach group servicing the Great Southern region.
The AYSA Staff and Board of Management are committed to, and driven by, the Youth Work Code of Ethics WA and support, “Youth work as a practice that places young people and their interest first. Youth work as a relational practice, where the youth worker operates alongside the young person in their own context.”
A committee is formed to investigate the needs of young people in relation to employment and school-to-work transition.
1983
1984
1986
1982
The committee commissions the Lambe report in conjunction with the Education Department, which leads to the incorporation of Albany YES committee. Youth employment is its primary focus.
The Youth Action Centre opens on Middleton Road (it closed in February 1986).
AYSA purchases the building now called Young House and opens its doors as a youth crisis centre in May. A coordinator and three youth workers are there round-the-clock to support young people. The building is officially opened by the Hon. E. K. Hallahan MLC on 2 August, funded under the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP) with the aim of reducing homelessness.
1987
AYSA opens the Step-Up Drop In Centre for at risk young people, funded by the Department for Community Services.
1989
The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission conducts a National Inquiry into Homeless Children. About 25,000 children and young people in Australia are homeless, with many more at risk of homelessness or surviving in grossly inadequate housing. A link is found between homelessness and other issues such as unemployment, sexual abuse, poor health and exposure to violence. The Inquiry also highlights the lack of support services for homeless young people. The resulting Burdekin Report raised the public’s awareness of the issues of youth homelessness and, importantly, secured more funding for services to help homeless young people.
1998
1997
Homeswest approves a major building upgrade at Young House, with eight single bedrooms added. The refurbishment is officially opened by the Hon. Kevin Prince MLA on Friday November 13, 1998.
With increased funding, Young House now supports about 70 live-in clients each year, plus 200 or more casual clients who drop in for food, information or other support.
2002
Funding for JAG no longer available and program folds.
2003
With police and government support behind us, AYSA secures Crime Prevention funding to re-introduce JAG, a joint police and youth worker initiative.
2004
JAG secures more funding, this time as an early intervention youth outreach program. We also secure funding for Albany Youth Outreach (AYO), as the project became known, for the 2005/2006 financial year.
2006
AYO is granted Preferred Service Provider status with stand-alone DCP funding. SHOT (Supported Housing Outreach Tenancy) begins as a pilot project under the SAAP Innovation and Investment Fund.
2007
Young House celebrates 21 years of operation.
Open Access Art Studio opens in Pettersson’s Arcade in November, with funding from the National Community Crime Prevention Program, an initiative of the Federal Attorney-General’s Department. An office also opens in Pettersson’s Arcade for AYO and SHOT workers – the central location making it easier for street present young people to access. True Colours – a program to support young people with a diverse sexuality and gender, their families and friends – operates out of the same space.
2008
Open Access’s two year NCCP funding finishes. AYSA supports the studio for a further 6 months under an MOU. Open Access re-badges and incorporates to become Nine Lives Youth Art Studio.
2009
AYSA is successful in becoming a Reconnect service provider for the lower great southern region.
2012
AYSA becomes Open Access and moves to new building at 19 Prior Street accompanied by Reconnect and AYO program.
2016
AYSA celebrates 30 years of community service to young people and their families. This is also the first year of the Albany Sleepout, an awareness and fundraising event in partnership with the City of Albany.
AYSA subcontracts Navig8 leaving care program from Mission Australia.
2017
With funding from the Shire of Denmark, AYSA develops the Denmark Youth Outreach Program providing case management support to those aged 12 to 18 who are at risk.
2018
With funding from Western Australia Primary Health Alliance, AYSA develops Tracks.
AYSA signs a partnership agreement with Comet Care School to provide co-location for a school targeting young people who are not able to manage the normal school system, with a planned launch date for 2019.
2021
Opening of new AYSA Youth Centre.
Located at 4 Sanford Road, the site has undergone extensive renovation and repurposing to create a relaxing and engaging environment for young people where they can seek support or simply relax and be themselves. Featuring gaming areas, pool, table tennis and air hockey tables, computers, comfy couches and a music studio this amazing space can cater for the diverse needs of young people.
2022
With funding from Western Australia Mental Health Commission, AYSA starts delivery of an Alcohol and Other Drug Educator Program to support young people experiencing AOD issues with an emphasis on harm minimisations and developing prevention and crisis resolution.
AYSA celebrates 40 years since its inception.
2023
With funding through the West Australian Police Force, AYSA develops the OAK Program (Family Violence Youth Intervention Program) working with young people aged 14 to 20 who commit family and domestic violence on significant others.
AYSA becomes a preferred service provider for the School Wellbeing Officer Program with the Department of Education WA.
In partnership with Advance Housing Inc, AYSA develops a business case and concept plans for a Great Southern FOYER.
AYSA begins delivery of the Home Stretch Program to the sider Great Southern region.
2024
The refurbishment of Young House begins in earnest with a grant received from the Department of Communities – Housing.
Get in touch.
Got a question or need support?
We're here to help. Whether you're looking for advice, services, or just want to talk something through, send us a message and one of our team will get back to you as soon as we can.