The Deck in Raymond Terrace open to homeless youths
HOMELESS youth will be able to access food, internet, washing machines and other services through a new program to be run out of The Deck at Raymond Terrace.
Port Stephens Family and Neighbourhood Service (PSFaNS) will run a youth homelessness program from the venue three days a week after it received funding through Family and Community Services for a project that addressed a need in the community.
“We’ve been operating under the specialist homelessness funding program for 12 months now and over that time we have seen quite a lot of 16 year olds up to the early 20s who couch surf or are staying with friends for some reason or another,” said Ann Fletcher from PSFaNS.
“We have seen a lot of couch surfers and thought with this funding we would set up a program for homeless youth given we have this great venue that is not utilised to its full potential.”
Ms Fletcher said there was a need for such a service as out of the 509 people that accessed PSFaNS homelessness service since November 2014, 126 were aged between 15 and 25.
The program will aim to help Port Stephens youths aged between 16 and 24 that do not have secure, safe or consistent accommodation.
DROP IN: William Hammond, Matt Breen, Ann Fletcher, Daniel Hawkins and Kayla Haslop pictured at The Deck youth venue, which will be open to 16 to 24 year olds to access Monday to Friday from November 25.
Starting from November 25, The Deck youth venue in Kangaroo Street would be open Monday to Friday between noon and 3pm.
It will complement the usual youth drop in sessions for 12 to 18 year olds on Thursday and Fridays between 3.30pm and 6.30pm.
The venue’s computers, games, washer, dryer and other amenities would be available for use, there would be food and access to services that could help place youth in secure housing.
PSFaNS is seeking the help of Port Stephens businesses.
Hairdressers, stores that sold clothing, especially underwear, or any other businesses wanting to help were asked to get in touch with the service on 4987 4674.
If you or a friend have nowhere safe to sleep tonight call Link2Home on 1800 152152 for assistance.
