The Southern Youth and Family Services Association Incorporated (SYFS) was established in 1977 and is an independent, local community-based benevolent (charity) organisation in the Southern part of NSW. SYFS provides support and assistance to vulnerable, disadvantaged and homeless young people and those at risk of, disadvantage and homelessness. This support extends to the children and families of these young people. The target group includes:-
◦young people aged 12 to 24 years who are homeless and/or otherwise disadvantaged (unemployed, in poverty, experiencing housing stress etc) and/or vulnerable.
◦young people in the care of The Minister
◦people with disabilities
◦Aboriginal people
◦people from Non-English Speaking Backgrounds
◦young offenders and those at risk of entering the Juvenile Justice system
◦young people in need of protection who have been abused or are at risk of abuse
◦people with mental health issues
◦people with alcohol and other drug use and other at risk behaviours such as suicide attempts, prostitution, and others
◦refugees and new arrivals to the country
◦school attendees and early school leavers. SYFS works with the broad community in a collective effort to reduce homelessness, prevent hardship and disadvantage and to enhance the quality of life for all Australians. SYFS assists individual young people and their families to improve their living situation, to reunite them to their families, to maintain their tenancies, to learn living and social skills, to link them to education and training, to support them to reduce the barriers to employment, and to enhance their health and overall wellbeing. Relationships between young people, their families and the Staff are important as a key to engagement and the delivery of services.
