Working with our youth
Partnering with the City of Ryde Council, The Salvation Army’s Oasis Youth Support Network (Oasis) launched a new, integrated youth hub in the Sydney suburb of Ryde in 2014.
Known as “Our Space”, the hub is a designated space for young people aged 11 to 18 living in northern Sydney, and includes a variety of services under one roof.
“The hub aims to empower young people by providing a safe, holistic and youth friendly space. The integration of a range of youth specific services on site encourages cross-referrals, ensuring young people’s needs are addressed within a space where they feel safe,” explains Josh Field, Oasis Education Manager.
Services include counselling, the Board of Studies-approved alternative education program, creative workshops, a community garden led by young people, case management, financial assistance, after-school homework and assignment assistance, TAFE outreach programs, and holiday programs.
As the lead service of the integrated youth hub, Oasis is partnering with other local organisations to assist with the services on offer. Along with the City of Ryde Council, Christian Community Aid – The Shack and Ryde Family Support are on site.
“Ryde Council approached us based on effective collaborative projects we have worked on together in the past,” says Josh.
“We’re excited to be involved in such as innovative youth project, and as numbers grow and we become more established within the community, we hope to employ an intake worker, streamlining our intake and assessment process and assisting in inter agency referral.”
The launch follows three years of successful alternative education by the Oasis Education Centre, previously based at Chatswood Corps.
The new integrated hub not only continues the original education program but provide opportunities for holistic education, most notably the youth community garden. This project-based learning initiative, sponsored by Janssen, will cater to individual learning styles not offered within a mainstream education setting, re-engage young people with education and teach them about sustainability, nutrition and horticulture.
Photo: (from left) Natalie Ilkin, Youth connections teacher, Jasmine Stevens, Youth Connections Case worker, Emma-Kate Hanson, Youth Connections Case worker, Jane Bingham, Youth Connections Youth Support Worker, Josh Field, Education Manager.
* This article first appeared in the March 2014 edition of Pipeline
