Annual Report 2017-18 02 | Annual Report 2017-18

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We acknowledge that we work on Aboriginal land and that sovereignty was never ceded. We pay our respects to elders past, present, and future, and extend this respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

We celebrate diversity in all forms and believe diversity amongst our staff makes a more effective organisation.

Yfoundations acknowledges that our efforts towards inclusivity and solidarity must be ongoing and always evolving. We always welcome feedback from the sector and community members.

Thank you to all the workers striving to create a future without youth homelessness. 03 | Annual Report 2017-18

CONTENTS

Yfoundations in 2017/18...... 04

President's Report...... 05

CEO Report...... 06

Projects and Policy...... 07

Health Report...... 09

Financial Overview...... 10

Our Staff...... 13

Our Board...... 14

Members and Supporters...... 15

04 | Annual Report 2017-18

YFOUNDATIONS IN 2017/18

It has been an exciting year at Yfoundations. The team has delivered some impressive work to raise the public profile of youth homelessness and support the community sector to better meet the needs of disadvantaged young people. This year's Youth Homelessness Matters Day (YHMD) was the largest YHMD event to date, with 250 attendees, 22 stalls, high profile speakers including Minister Pru Goward and Tanya Plibersek MP. Yfoundations together with one of our Youth Ambassadors featured in the Fairfax article You can see it in their eyes: The hardest thing about being homeless. Yfoundations made a number of other media appearances in 2017-2018 including: SBS Filthy Rich & Homeless ABC Tonightly with Tom Ballard ABC News Breakfast The Guardian Hope FM

MISSION AND VISION

Yfoundations works to create a future without youth homelessness by providing a leading voice for young people experiencing and at risk of homelessness and the services that support them. We work collaboratively with service providers, NGOs, government departments and community members to provide research, sector development and policy advice, health projects and services for young people.

All of Yfoundations' efforts focus on five foundations: Safety & Stability, Home & Place, Health & Wellness, Connections & Participation, and Education & Employment. 05 | Annual Report 2017-18 PRESIDENTS Yfoundations has worked hard this year as can be seen by the numbers of meetings, submissions, Sticky Stuff REPORT trainings that have been attended, written and delivered.

By Nerida Ackerman The office moved (back) to 619 Elizabeth Street and are excited to be in 2017 we welcomed At the previous AGM in the fresh new (old) space. of Yfoundations. Zoë Zoë Robinson as CEO Yfoundations continues to have strong rom Deloitte, her joined Yfoundations f partnerships with other Peak Bodies challenging, but an first year has been a and the community. e. Zoë’s enthusiasm exciting learning curv is an asset, her list and high energy level Yfoundations has also developed long in this firsts 12 of achievements are strong relationships with private and months as CEO. business organisations - and we look forward to sharing more about these in Yfoundations Under Zoë's guidance 2018-2019. Thank you to our members ated a new position, restructured and cre and supporters for a great year. Gemma Luckett filling Research Lead, with ed back Jessie this role. We welcom Whilst it was a challenging year for role at Yfoundations Halligan in a full time Yfoundations, it has thrived. Youth ts Officer - Youth. as a Policy and Projec Homelessness Matters Day was the t was continued and The Health NSW gran biggest to date and we hosted 22 o deliver the Sticky Ben Corio continues t services and welcomed a number of ia Gale also took on a Stuff training. Natal politicians, academics and advocates. nd Projects Officer - new role as a Policy a conducting a Sector and has been This year we have welcomed Daniel work focused on substantial piece of Daylight (Infinite Hope), Lex juvenile justice. young people exiting Lutherborrow () and Brittany Jack (VERTO) to the Board. tone and Marella We farewelled Chris S I want to thank the Board for their d want to take this Gouvernet. The Boar service and their support throughout wledge their opportunity to ackno this year. contribution and effort for their work.

Pictured (L-R): Warren Welsh (Burdekin), Eleonore Johannson (Southern Youth and Family Services), Nerida Ackerman (YP Space MNC), Jody Pearce (Veritus), Zoë Robinson (CEO), Alan Brennan (Pathfinders), Nigel Parker (St Laurence House) and Laurie Matthews ()

Photo: Yfoundations Board Members 2017/18 06 | Annual Report 2017-18

CEO REPORT The Yfoundations team has worked very hard during the last year and that is seen in By Zoë Robinson the number of submissions, the citations in reports and the success of Youth It is a privilege to write this report. It has Homelessness Matters Day - our biggest to been almost one year since I took on the date! I want to thank the team for their role as CEO of Yfoundations. I have had energy, enthusiasm and commitment to the great fortune to travel across NSW to work during this year. meet with members and young people and to speak at a number of functions. I have I want to thank the Board for their ongoing spent time with government and with the support and for welcoming me into my role. community. I have also had the opportunity to engage with the public and I want to thank each and every member who with businesses to talk about youth has emailed me, welcomed me into their homelessness and bring awareness to the service, who has called me and who has crisis. worked with us this year. Our job is a privilege and it is because of our members During this time a number of major reports and young people that we achieve what we have been released and statistics have achieve. shown us that youth homelessness is at a crisis point. The work that we undertake 2017-2018 was a big year for Yfoundations as a Peak needs to be informed by young and we have strong foundations for 2019 people and our members so that we can and beyond! effectively advocate for and on behalf of our most vulnerable. We have been working very hard to be heard and we have 101 39 had many opportunities to work with Meetings with Service government in shaping future policy. Government Visits

OUR NEW (OLD) OFFICE After more than a year at 10 Stokes Ave Alexandria, Yfoundations has returned to 619 Elizabeth Street Redfern, now in the newly refurbished Suite 4. It is great to be back in our old neighbourhood, close to our NGO comrades. The office is perfect for our size and our work. It has an abundance of natural light and is walking distance to Central and Redfern Railway Stations, as well as great cafes, bars, restaurants, and parks.

Photo: Yfoundations new office space 07 | Annual Report 2017-18 PROJECTS AND POLICY

KEY SUBMISSIONS A T 2 T 5 E 0 ALRC REVIEW OF THE FAMILY LAW SYSTEM A N T D Yfoundations' submission to the Australian Law Reform Y E Commission states that the family law system needs to be 1 2 H E Y M S improved to resolve family disputes quickly and affordably, I C O L D while maintaining a focus on the safety and wellbeing of P E N I T T children and young people. W R T S T P U SHAPING A BETTER CHILD PROTECTION SYSTEM O U This submission, supported by Youth Action, covered early intervention, restoration and court processes.

THE JUSTICE PROJECT, LAW COUNCIL OF 9 S 1 3 G Yfoundations' submission on young people's experience of I N D E T E the justice system was repeatedly quoted and E D M E N referenced throughout their final report. T T A PRODUCTIVITY COMMISSION DRAFT REPORT ON REFORMS TO HUMAN SERVICES Yfoundations submitted a response to the Productivity 2 8 Commission's report “Introducing Competition and Informed J U V E User Choice into Human Services". J N I L C U S E NSW PARLIAMENTARY INQUIRY NEW PARENTS & BABIES O N T I C S U E Yfoundations' submission to the inquiry focused on young L T A T parents experiencing homelessness due to the over- I O N representation and high vulnerability of this cohort. S

RURAL, REGIONAL AND REMOTE REHAB SERVICES A number of issues were identified in this submission: significant lack of youth-specific drug rehab services, a lack of detoxification services, and strict requirements that prevent early intervention.

YHMD 2018 On the 18th April, Yfoundations hosted an event for Youth Homelessness Matters Day. The day was a great success with over 250 people in attendance. A host of services who provide support to homeless young people set up stalls including Caretakers Cottage, Legal Aid, and Burdekin Association, among others. Speakers included Minister Pru Goward, Tanya Plibersek MP and the Advocate for Children and Young People, Andrew Johnson.

Photo: Some of the 250 strong crowd at YHMD, Prince Alfred Park. 08 | Annual Report 2017-18 PROJECTS AND POLICY

KEY PROJECTS

JUVENILE JUSTICE PROJECT Yfoundations has been granted ethical approval from the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council to speak with young people about their experiences of detention and bail. Yfoundations has also spoken with Judge Johnstone, President of the Children's Court, SHSs, solicitors working at Legal Aid and ALS and staff e project has been well received at Juvenile Justice. Th 'THE IMPORTANCE OF TRAUMA by the Children's Court, Juvenile Justice, the Attorney- INFORMED JUVENILE JUSTICE' General and the sector. BY NATALIA GALE MODEL POLICIES This article touched on the need to incorporate trauma-informed care in the rehabilitation of Yfoundations launched model policies for SHS. These young offenders. policies were designed to help SHS services implement a

model framework that allows them to meet the health Detention in its current form seems designed needs of young people. to trigger trauma and rage: isolation, sterile surroundings, strip searches and frequent UNACCOMPANIED 12-15 YEAR OLD PROTOCOL discipline to name but a few examples.

Draft protocols covering 12 Districts have been Young people in detention are three times more this exercise a 'best collected and compared. From likely than the general population to have been of' protocol, that could form the basis of a state-wide exposed to multiple types of traumatic events. protocol, was created. Considering this, detention should be seen as a window of opportunity to work with these GOOD PRACTICE GUIDELINES FOR WORKING WITH young people to over come their trauma and UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN 12-15 YEARS OLD reintegrate them into society.

Through discussions and consultations with the SHS This articles explores the benefits of a trauma- or greater consistency, sector, a need was identified f informed approach and the consequences of transparency and accountability across services not doing so. supporting unaccompanied children 12 – 15 years of age.

Photos: Pathfinders Armidale Pumpkin Challenge 2018 09 | Annual Report 2017-18 icky t some tr stand tha me under talk to helped tricky to “Definitely e not as ght” topics ar ously thou ions and s I previ HEALTH situat al with a about/de Lismore g people rticipant youn Stuff Pa REPORT - Sticky ““Sticky Stuff w as by f trainin ar the 2017/18 was a year full of challenges and g I hav best - Sticky e attend achievements for the Yfoundations health Stuff ed” Participa team, presenting opportunities for growth nt Wo llongong in new directions and building on the strong foundations already in place. We said farewell to Colin Stokes, Rochelle With Ben's focus and determination we Avasalu and Jessie Hunt, and welcomed continued to fulfil our KPIs and deepen Ben Corio as our Health Promotion and our engagement with the NSW Sexual Training Project Officer. Health Framework Support Programs (FSP), contributing in the following ways: We were privileged to present Sticky Stuff Membership of the SHAPE Peer Training in 32 Locations, training a total of leadership FSP working group 423 youth, health, education and other Membership of the Out of Home Care workers. Notable amongst these locations FSP working group was a well attended workshop in Broken Membership of the Playsafe Digital Hill. This training, the second in Broken Promotion Advisory Committee. Hill in the last two years, demonstrates a growing relationship with the region. In 2018/19 The health team will establish a NSW Youth Sexual Health Advisory Sticky Stuff continues to be very well Committee as well as develop and pilot an received by participants and, having been online version of Sticky Stuff; an exciting updated to align with NSW Health’s opportunity to reach even more workers Engaging Young People Around Sexual across the state. We will also, of course, Health Resource Kit, we believe it is more continue to deliver our flagship effective than ever. The health team training from Broken Hill to Surry Hills; contributed greatly to the development of empowering workers and building towards this resource kit, and it has been well a more equitable NSW for all young received by workers across the state. people.

“All of the information was so valuable. The games we were introduced to will be easy and effective to introduce to young people”

- Sticky Stuff Participant Wagga Wagga Photo: Sticky Stuff Headspace Bathurst 2017 10 | Annual Report 2017-18

FINANCIAL OVERVIEW

Dear Members,

I am pleased to present the Treasurer’s Report for the financial year 2017-2018.

This year, all projects and grants were fully expended and all legal accruals and entitlements were provided for. Despite an operational deficit of $71,441, the current financial position and reserves of Yfoundations continues to be strong.

In 2017-2018 Yfoundations received funding from FACS for the Sector Support / Policy team (including funding through the Industry Partnership), and we secured to renewed funding from NSW Health for the Health Team. Members also contributed $10,687 in membership fees.

The current financial position enables Yfoundations to employ a team that includes policy, research and health.

Yfoundations is also able to support Board members to attend six Board and General meetings each year. Thank you to the member services that support Yfoundations by allowing the time for their staff to participate on the Yfoundations Board.

I would like to acknowledge the skilled financial management of the Board, the work of the auditor Stephen Sproats, and welcome Purpose Accounting who have taken on the financial and accounting work of Yfoundations.

Eleonore Johansson Treasurer Photos: YES Unlimited Albury 2017/18 11 | Annual Report 2017-18 12 | Annual Report 2017-18 13 | Annual Report 2017-18

OUR STAFF

Zoë Robinson Former Staff CEO Chris Stone Senior Policy Officer

Marella Gouvernet Financial Administrator

Ben Corio Health Promotion & Training Officer

Natalia Gale Sector Projects & Policy Officer

Jessie Halligan Policy & Projects Volunteers Officer (Youth)

Emily Pistilli

Christina Daoud

Eric Ellis Gemma Luckett Research Lead Chelsea Grek

Umair Rashid

Sarah Howle 14 | Annual Report 2017-18

OUR BOARD

Nerida Ackerman - President Alan Brennan Mid North Coast Representative New England Representative YP Space MNC Pathfinders

Eleonore Johansson - Treasurer Di Glover Illawarra Representative Murrumbidgee Representative Southern Youth and Family Services YES Youth & Family Services

Warren Welsh Jody Pearce Metropolitan Representative Western NSW Representative The Burdekin Association Veritas House

Nigel Parker Laurie Matthews Metropolitan Representative Specialist Delegate St Laurence House Caretakers Cottage

Lex Lutherborrow Daniel Daylight Metropolitan Representative Specialist Delegate Youth Off The Streets Infinite Hope

Brittany Jack Specialist Delegate VERTO 15 | Annual Report 2017-18

MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS

Campbell Page Moruya Youth Refuge South East Women & Children's Services Caretakers Cottage Southern Youth and Family Services Challenge Community's Services St Johns Youth Service St Laurence House Eleonore Johansson St Saviours Youth Liverpool Launchpad Youth Community Stepping Stone Youth Crisis Centre Lighthouse Community Care Stretch A Family MacKillop Family Services Taldumande Youth Services Marist 180 The Burdekin Association Mission Australia The Crossing Moree Family Support The Family Centre (St Joseph's Moruya Youth Refuge Youth Service) Neami The Girls Refuge / Social Futures Twenty10 Oasis Youth Support Network Uniting Library Service Parramatta Mission UnitingCare Burnside - Doorways Pathfinders Veritas House Phoenix House Youth Services Vinnies Reconnect Platform Youth Services Weave Youth & Community Services Port Stephens Family & Neighbourhood Services Project Youth YES Youth and Family Services Relationships Australia Youth Off The Street Marrickville Samaritans Maitland YP Space MNC Settlement Services International Yfoundations ABN 20 512 756 029 02 8306 7901 PO BOX 3115 Redfern NSW 2016 www.yfoundations.org.au