By ZAIDA GLIBANOVIC
LATROBE Youth Space has secured $250,000 in state government funding to continue its influential community work for another six months.
The board of local for-purpose organisation Gippsland Youth Spaces Inc. (GYS Inc) welcomed the state government grant, that will enable the Latrobe Valley-based space to operate until the end of June.
The youth-centred hub was established in 2018 as part of the state government’s promise to improve the outlook for young people in the Latrobe Valley.
Since then, the much-valued service has provided activities, support, and a safe place for youth to grow their skills, experience, and confidence.
Latrobe Youth Space’s future was in limbo when the state government cut funding for the service in the 2023 Budget. Latrobe Youth Space has spent the time since to advocate and consult with the state government to reinstate their investment.
Member for Eastern Victoria, Harriet Shing visited the Latrobe Youth Space last Friday to speak on the state government’s financial assistance.
“We know it has been a serious of challenges faced by the Latrobe Valley region, that young people have really risen to find opportunities in,” Ms Shing said.
“Here at the Latrobe Youth Space, we do see the very best in community action.
“We’ve put around 4.3 million into the establishment of the youth space since … and it has delivered the most extraordinary results.
“Funding is one thing, but it is people that have really made this project come to life.”
Latrobe Youth Space has had close to 4000 engagements since its inception, and has had a significant impact for young people across the region.
This year’s 2023 Latrobe City Young Citizen of the year, Harlequin Goodes has loved using the youth space, which has enabled her to open up and pursue opportunities.
“I think it’s incredibly important that young people can access their needs outside of a home because not every home can provide access to those needs or not every young person can scrounge together the pennies to go wash their clothes, not everyone’s household can afford full meals every day,” she said.
“It’s incredibly important that young people can go to a space that feels like their lounge room, like their house where they feel comfortable.”
Youth program committee member Trey Merlo from Kurnai College thanked the team at Latrobe Youth Space and their partners for working hard to secure the funding.
“I’ve been coming here for over a year-and-a-half,” Trey said.
“There’s always something going on; there’s always needs to be catered for every child.”
Latrobe Youth Space Chief Executive, Sandy Hegarty welcomed the state government investment.
“It’s a massive, massive win for us, and we’ll take it,” she said.
“This allows us to keep the doors open until at least mid-year which is such a relief for our young people as well as our staff.”
Latrobe Youth Space acts as a safe haven for children in the Latrobe Valley, providing essential services like showers and food to programs to link children with important services such as mental health guidance or employment.
Ms Hegarty said amid the cost of living crisis, demand for food assistance has never been higher at the Youth Space.
“The needs of our young people locally are absolutely increasing, and (this funding) means we’re able to meet those needs as best as we can,” she said.
“We have actually just ticked over 1000 members within the last week, and the need is increasing. We are averaging about 16 drop-ins per day. We tend to give out around 100 meals per week and 15 kilos worth of snacks per week, and we’re helping to engage with services and schools and getting them back into socialising again.”
Ms Hegarty said keeping the space open was vital for the region’s future, as the Youth Space is the only youth-led and adult-guided support service in Eastern Victoria.
With programs from education to employment, corrections and crime prevention, food security to housing, and mental health support, Ms Hegarty said that Youth Space is a “holistic service in terms of connecting young people with what they need when they need it.”
The youth space has engaged with all sectors to solidify its future beyond mid-year, as the state government says they are assisting the youth service in finding other funding avenues.
“We’ve got a lot of positive conversations going. It’s coming from a lot of different directions, but we still need more, so if there’s people out there who are interested in supporting us – no matter how big or small, we’d love to hear from you,” Ms Hegarty said.
Local service business Full Circle HR was the first to commit to sponsoring the Youth Space monthly.
Later this month, a delegation of young people from Latrobe Youth Space will travel to Canberra to meet with decision-makers to ensure young people’s voices are being heard.
Federal Member for Gippsland, Darren Chester, has agreed to facilitate the trip.
