Young People Ahead

Young People Ahead Inc first started life as The Mount Isa Youth Shelter Incorporated way back in 1983 when it was only a crisis youth shelter service. However over the years the organisation has grown with additional funding programs and now includes the Bails Support Program, The Volatile Substance Misuse Initiative and most recently the Youth Housing and Reintegration Service (YHARS). The Bail Support Program came on board to YPA in 2003 for a trial period then in July 2004 the program entered into a 3 year Service Agreement with the Dept of Communities and has remained with the organisation since. In June 2005, Mount Isa Youth Shelter Inc. acted as the interim service provider for the ‘Volatile Substance Misuse "Place of Safety" after following the relinquishment of funds by a community-based organisation. From there YPA was successful in securing a triennial funding period and just recently cemented a further three years funding from the Sate Government. We amended the name from the ’Volatile Substance Misuse Place of Safety’ to ‘ The Volatile Substance Misuse Initiative’ as the service objectives were more than just providing a safe place but to provide intervention and prevention also to address substance misuse. With the new growth of Mount Isa Youth Shelter Inc, a review was conducted in 2007 and found the organisations’ name no longer truly reflected whatthe organisation was about, especially when crisis accommodation was one of four other funded programs. This was when the name ‘Young People Ahead’ was implemented, with careful consultation with youth and their families and the general community. The most recent addition to YPA is the Youth Housing and Reintegration Service – YHARS, which we successfully tendered for in July 2010. Being a trial funded service to address Youth Homeslessness in the city the YHARS funding is currently in review, but given the tremendous outcome already achieved by the service YPA is positive that funding will be continued. 2011 Has seen the organisation move into its new premises on 11/13 Fourth Avenue, with bigger work areas and youth friendly spaces to deliver programs, activities and events. YPA is spearheading the establishment of a Youth Headspace to tackle mental health and curb the rates of youth suicide, also the organisation is looking into the possibility of creating a one stop Youth Hub Centre. In addition to this YPA is working closely with Government and community stakeholders to look into working in remote Gulf communities and assist in supporting youth development to promote, advocate, and address youth specific issues and needs.