NCJ Number
191096
Journal
Youth Studies Australia Volume: 20 Issue: 2 Dated: June 2001 Pages: 40-45
Date Published
June 2001
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This case study of a human service organization for disadvantaged and homeless youth includes recommendations to improve the quality of services provided.
Abstract
Charity-provided services that offer individual attention and appropriate educational, occupational, accommodation, and social skills are, for some young people, their only hope for medium- or long-term support. Youth Assist offers such a service on Queensland’s Gold Coast. Youth Assist’s clientele tend to fit one of two general profiles: aged between 13 and 17 or aged between 18 and 25. Many have problems related to drugs, alcohol, crime, and pregnancy. Most clients have not finished Year 10 and do not have any further educational qualifications. The regular client base is between 15 and 20 clients, and organized activities total 16.5 contact hours per week. Youth Assist is a registered charity that provides educational, professional, and personal services for youth in crisis. To gain understanding of the organization and its programs from the clients’ perspective, interviews were conducted with five males and two females aged between 13 and 22. Evidence gathered through interviews with staff, clients, and source/referral agencies supported the value of this organization’s objectives and many of its programs. This organization appears to be relevant, responsive, and nonjudgmental, and worthy of government and nongovernment support. For many of the homeless and disadvantaged youth, Youth Assist is their last chance to develop themselves and skills appropriate for the demands of society. 1 figure, 2 references