Youth centers and alternative community spaces for adolescents are being promoted as potential remedies for escalating issues related to youth violence, social isolation, and radicalization.
Recent inquiries conducted by the New South Wales (NSW) parliament have unanimously suggested that increasing investment in youth centers and similar programs could enhance community ties and mitigate feelings of isolation.
Youth centers serve as communal venues staffed by trained professionals where young individuals can form connections with peers and mentors.
Samey Minkara, the founder of the charity Street Industries, which operates temporary youth spaces across Sydney’s western and southern regions, draws from his personal experiences growing up in public housing and facing homelessness at the age of 17.
“We were brainstorming ways to shift the existing paradigm. Rather than pursuing young people to seek help, we sought to create environments that would draw them in,” he explained.
Street Industries has recently repurposed a rooftop parking area in Liverpool into a street football venue, in addition to regularly organizing street basketball events in Penshurst.
Minkara views sports as an effective “entry point” for initiating meaningful discussions around the challenges young people encounter. “Street sports serve as a proactive strategy to engage with the community, building relationships through sports to help redirect youth away from crises,” he noted. “Establishing rapport with young people before crises arise significantly enhances our ability to support them during such times.”
Saleh Jaidi, a mentor involved in these initiatives, utilizes basketball to connect with at-risk youth and assist them in overcoming obstacles. “Our focus is on discipline, career planning, and ensuring that regardless of one’s background, there is always the potential to forge a successful future,” he stated.
While some youth centers function as temporary pop-up locations, others are striving for more permanent establishments. Alex O’Neal, who operates on the Central Coast, an hour north of Sydney, is witnessing the increasing complexity of the challenges faced by young people. “Loneliness has emerged as a significant issue following COVID-19,” he remarked, noting its effects on school engagement and social interactions.
His organization, Regional Youth Support Services (RYSS), has been active for 40 years in the region, assisting around 1,000 young individuals annually. At one site, known as the ‘kiosk,’ caseworkers aid youth with resume preparation, job applications, and essential life skills to foster independence. Another site in Gosford serves as a drop-in center offering services aimed at diverting youth from the judicial system.
Unfortunately, O’Neal’s flagship hub was forced to close in 2024 due to funding expiration, highlighting the ongoing struggle for sustained government support. “Securing long-term funding is an ongoing challenge, particularly in regional areas,” he explained. “This makes it exceedingly difficult to establish and maintain programs.”
Calls for enhanced funding for youth centers were further emphasized in recent parliamentary investigations into issues of loneliness, juvenile delinquency, and right-wing extremism. The principal organization representing youth in the state, Youth Action, has commenced a formal assessment of available youth spaces throughout NSW.
Lauren Stracey, CEO of Youth Action, indicated that the assessment would pinpoint service gaps statewide and identify areas where government investment is necessary. “Our reactions tend to be focused on crises rather than on fostering healthy development for young individuals,” she stated.
The organization has highlighted the effectiveness of ‘youth wellness hubs’ in Ontario, Canada, where 22 locations have been established to address deficiencies in mental health and addiction services for youth. Stracey, with a background as an adolescent psychologist, emphasized the importance of such hubs in fostering positive connections among young people. “It is vital that we ensure youth feel a sense of belonging, with accessible places that connect them to their communities. When young people feel a sense of connection, it strengthens the entire community,” she remarked.
Rose Jackson, NSW Minister for Youth, stated that the government has allocated over $9 million this year for youth programs. “We acknowledge the demand for more dedicated spaces for youth and are actively investigating ways to provide support,” she affirmed in a statement.
The youth hub mapping initiative, conducted in collaboration with the NSW Office of Youth, is anticipated to yield its results by year-end.
