Townsville YACCA

Philosophy & Vision

YACCA aims to provide activities that support young people in the areas of personal growth and social interaction. YACCA achieves this aim by providing young people with the opportunities for them to learn, develop and maintain personal and social survival skills through structured activities including small workshops, community recreational activities, and community focused projects and individual support.

Characteristics of the area in which we work

Townsville YACCA's catchment area is extensive. The Northern and Western regional area of the Townsville City are identified as a high needs area and is the focus of broad community action and participation programs. The Northern and Western areas consist of both urban and rural area largely isolated from ‘Town' due to the lack of public transport. There is a shortage of recreation opportunities and support services in these areas. The Northern and Western areas have one of the highest proportions of young people in Queensland: 40% of the population is under 25 years (23, 610 people) and 15% is aged between 15-24 years (8,743).

The young people we work with experience some or all of the following:
• Family conflict, abuse and neglect
• Disengagement from the education system and employment
• Behavioural/personal issues
• Engagement in risk-taking activities/criminal behaviours and the Youth Justice System.
• Drug/alcohol misuse

Activities and services that we provide

Core and Community YACCA provides structured and supervised programs for young people. YACCA runs 2 groups a week along with Individual Support for Core YACCA clients.

CORE YACCA

This program is for young people at risk who have officially linked to the YACCA program through Lifeline's referral process accessing the full range of support services offered by Lifeline Youth Services YACCA team. These services include community events; provision of free transport; structured and supervised activities; small group workshops; advocacy; community focused projects; case management/individual support; referral; general service information and assistance; school and agency liaison; and family support.

COMMUNITY YACCA

This program forms partnerships with Local Government, Non-government Organisations and Community Groups to implement and deliver sport and recreation activities. Community YACCA's aim is engage young people from the wider community in supervised and structured diversionary activities within their local community.

Our model of service delivery

YACCA works in partnership with local government and community agencies to develop and facilitate diversionary activities, workshops, groups and appropriate services on individual, group and community levels. We offer both structured and flexible activities and programs, coordinated and developed by Lifeline Youth Workers and/or other key stakeholders. These activities and programs are run in a variety of locations and venues in the community including the Lifeline Administration Office where YACCA is based. Our service is available Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm, however or engagement with young people and youth activity programs is mainly run outside school hours and during school holidays.

Recent Outcomes

• reduction in young people participating in anti-social behaviour by offering supervised activities during high crime periods after school
• increase in physical activity, skill and interest development
• a safe & fun place for positive social interaction between young people and the development of social networks and team based communication skills
• Increase in opportunities for other services and community organisation to engage with and build rapport with young people, their families and YACCA youth services.
• Increase in participation and support for young people and other community members in the implementation of sport and recreational activities and other community engagement activities
• Increase in family participation and connection
• Increase in the number of young people re-engaging with education or entering the workforce

Recent Community Development projects

• Partnered with The Youth Network Inc to develop, facilitate and assess an alternative education program called "Create Your Future." This initiative was aimed at 15 to 17 year old who had completely disengaged from the education system. The program offered a certificate II in Access 10 (year 10 equivalent) as well as workshop activities and life skills programs.
• Partnership with Townsville City Council to participate in Youth Fest?
• Participation in the Upper Ross Community Expo to profile and showcase programs and services provided by YACCA
• Partnerships with local sporting groups such as OzTag, Rugby Union, Rugby League to provide Community Sports Workshops to young people
• Partnership with the Upper Ross PCYC to run after school activities at their venue.