Sir David Martin Foundation - Helping young people in crisis

Creative Youth Initiatives Student Support

Creative Youth Initiatives employs a Student Support Co-ordinator who’s role is to look after all intake and referrals and offer ongoing support and goal planning to student whilst they are at Creative Youth Initiatives. The Student Support Co-ordinator can assist students in a number of areas including finding suitable accommodation, attaining employment, re-entering or enrolling in education or training institutions, counselling around mental health issues and offer ongoing daily support for students. Creative Youth Initiatives referrals come from numerous agencies including accommodation services, employment services, mental health services, youth centres and Juvenile Justice. They are also more than happy to take referrals from people within the community that may know of a young person interested in one of their programs.

The referral process to CYI is quite simple and is outlined below.

1. Waiting list. This is the initial expression of interest whereby a young person can be placed on the waiting list for the program they are interested in. At this initial step, the Student Support Co-ordinator asks for the following information.

• Young person’s name and age;

• Contact details for both the young person and the referring agent;

• When the young person is available to start; and

• What are the issues that the young person is facing (this can include mental health issues, homelessness, unemployment, drug and alcohol issues etc).

2. Induction Visit. One month prior to the commencement of the program the Student Support Co-ordinator will contact the young person (or if requested) the referring agent to confirm that the young person is still available and interested in enrolling in one of Creative Youth Initiative’s programs. If this is confirmed, then an induction interview will be arranged for the young person (a support person is more than welcome to attend) and the Student Support  Co-ordinator.

The induction visit usually takes around hour and it allows the young person to find out more about Creative Youth Initiatives and have a look around the centre. It also allows the Student Support Co-ordinator and young person a chance to talk about any issues they are facing and how Creative Youth Initiatives can benefit them.

To be eligible to enrol, the young person needs to be aged between 16-25 years, have an interest in visual arts and/or music and be willing to give something creative a go in light  of any issues or challenges they are facing. If you or a young person you know fits this criteria and are interested in enrolling in one of Creative Youth Intiatives programs then please don’t hesitate to contact the Student Support Co-ordinator on 9356 8897 or cyi@missionaustralia.com.au