SERVICE MESSAGE - IYC Young People, Families, Staff, Volunteers, Board, Student Placements and Community would like to give a big warm thank you to all who support IYC, not close the centre doors. It's with a heavy heart that IYC informs you that IYC closed its centre doors on March 1st 2024 at the location in Bundoora due to not being refunded by the government, IYC acknowledges and is grateful for the Federal Government grant to grow IYC with the centre in 2022. IYC campaigned to all tiers of government, did a fundraiser with events, went to media, had a petition, tried auspices and unfortunately could not raise enough funds to keep the centre operational. IYC will not close as a charity/service organisation and reflect to provide NDIS services, consulting work, information and referral, and program work that will be done on a smaller scale until IYC grows again and can do more and run a centre again. As the motto goes at IYC
"Believe and Create"
OUR SERVICES MODEL
OUR SERVICE STRUCTURE
Innovation Youth Centre operates through three portfolios of Youth Support, Youth Development and Youth Programs that are incorporated in a four-dimensional model approach explained further on the right side of this page.
The Programs and Services we offer include Drop-In Programs, Counselling and Casework Support, Personal Development Programs, Driving Programs, Community Events, Assertive Outreach Support, Information and Referral, Education and Training, Parent Education, Leadership and Reference Group Programs, LGBTQIA+ Programs, Rainbow Tick Accreditation, and NDIS Accredited Services.
An essential part of our strategy is making our building accessable for community members, organsiations, and stakeholders to hire spaces and resources to run services, events, and commununity programs
To find out what programs are either upcoming or currently facilitated by IYC, check out our programs page.
Youth Support
This service provides one-to-one support to young people to address challenges they are experiencing in their lives, including risk of homelessness, engagement in crime, fractured family relationships, mental health difficulties, substance abuse and disengagement from schooling.
Youth Development
This service provides positive and inclusive development support at Innovation Youth Centre for at-risk vulnerable and disadvantaged young people (with a focus on youth who are at risk of engaging in crime &/or who are in the juvenile justice system), so as to enhance their positive connections to their community focussing on personal development, reducing anti-social behaviours and improving life-skills.
Youth Programs
Young people have a long-term accessible safe space at IYC. A long-term regular routine for young people to attend programs like the drop-in and meet new positive social networks to be engaged. Support groups for young women, young men, LBGTIQA+ members etc. Supporting groups for young people re-entering society. Young People in engaging community programs.
DROP IN (UNSTRUCTURED)
Our unstructured drop-in offers a doors open and walk-in feature for all young people. This approach offers resources for young people to use freely for recreation, work, and study such as:
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Tabletop games like pool, soccer etc
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Board games
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Access to a Bluetooth speaker and music activities.
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Computers and free wifi
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Books including YA fiction, DIY, and personal development books
During drop-in times, youth workers are present supervising young people and offering their time for inquiries about other programs and services.
DROP IN (STRUCTURED)
Our structured drop-in aspect of IYC offers planned recreation activities for young people happening during the drop-in sessions. These activities include:
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IYC Youth Reference Group Meetings
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Cooking or BBQs
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Crafternoons and arts
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Sport games
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Specialised Professionals drop-ins. Eg. Members from Legal Aid offering on the spot legal advice.
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Private one-to-one consultation or family consultation for community service referrals.
PROGRAMS (UNSTRUCTURED)
Our unstructured programs aspect will offer young people space to improvise and develop their own programs and activities outside of drop in sessions. These activities could be:
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Safe space sessions for girls and young women, young people of colour, and young people belonging to the LGBTIQ community to discuss their experiences without fear of judgement and organise civic participation appropriate to them.
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Young people organising small enterprising ideas to set up in their community.
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Young people organising civic activities such as being involved in local community fundraising.
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Guest speakers showcasing presentations on a given topic relevant to young people.
PROGRAMS (STRUCTURED)
Doors Closed / Activities Specified
Walk In’s and enquires welcomed.
Eg. Community Innovation, Education, Arts, Recreation, Outreach and Partnership Programs, Youth Support, Case Management and Counselling.
Our structured programs aspect will offer young people activities to boost their learning and personal development. These activities can be targeted to common and specific needs with examples such as mental health, disability, and at-risk young people. These programs can be:
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IYC Youth Reference Group and Board Meetings.
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Self-defence classes
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Arts projects
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Homework clubs
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Dance and Drama classes
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Case management
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Counselling
We are also open for other youth and community organisations and services to partner and facilitate their programs within IYC. To inquire about this, click on our contact page and get in touch with us.
IYC ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE
ANNUAL IMPACT INFOGRAPHIC
