Search

About Us

Our aim is to help young people
be the best they can be.

Queensland Youth Services Inc. (QYS) is a not-for-profit, non-government organisation that has been providing support services to vulnerable youth in North Queensland since 1978.

Through the delivery of specialised, holistic programs and services, our organisation aims to help young people be the best they can be.

We do this by helping people aged 12 through to 25 realise their potential to lead an independent, sustainable, and positive life on their own while focusing on three main pillars of support. These include:

Our ultimate goal is to encourage young people to move from being a victim of their circumstances to becoming the instrument of their empowerment. 

With a focus placed on alleviating issues surrounding youth homelessness, driver education, young parenthood, early intervention to offending behaviour, mental health, education, training, employment and much more, we help create quality lifestyles. 

We operate on the principle that all young people have the right to be treated with dignity and respect, to be assisted without judgement, and to have access to physical and emotional safety. Our workforce is committed to the pursuit of social justice, equity, accountability and cultural diversity in each aspect of our service delivery.

We are an organic organisation that adapts and flexes to the driving needs of our people and our communities. Through the valued partnerships we have formed we are able to assist young people in identifying and building their support networks and skills for independent living.

Queensland Youth Services is an HDAA certified organisation officially registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for Profits Commission (ACNC).

HDAA Certified Organisation
ACNC Registered Charity

Our Mission

Empowering youth

To build the capacity of young people to achieve a better quality of life and wellbeing by giving them the skills to take control of their lives.

Our Vision

Youth believe in their power to transform

All youth can rise above their circumstances by developing self-respect, dignity and independence. In doing so, they can carve a new future for themselves.

Our History

1978

Open Youth Project (OYP) started

Queensland Youth Services started out in 1978 as a drop-in centre called the Open Youth Project (OYP). For 15 years, the OYP centre offered self-help, employment and relevant skills development services for disadvantaged youth.

1993

Became incorporated under the name Queensland Youth Services Inc.

In 1993, the OYP management committee voted to become incorporated under the name Queensland Youth Services Inc., with a vision of assisting youth beyond the boundaries of Townsville.

The incorporated status also provided opportunities to compete for government tenders and grants allowing for a larger program portfolio.

For a period of time, expansion beyond Townsville was achieved, as youth support services were offered in Ayr, Ingham and Charters Towers.

Since then, Queensland Youth Services has been offering a range of youth support programs, some of which have come and gone, and some of which have stayed. 

2007

Reconnect and the Young Parents Program

Reconnect and the Young Parents Program have also been long-standing services, with both being in operation for over 10 years.

2010

Launched the Youth Housing and Reintegration Services (YHARS) Program

In 2010, QYS launched the Youth Housing and Reintegration Services (YHARS) program in Townsville, then in 2019, we successfully obtained a contract to provide this service in Mt Isa, resulting in QYS opening a new branch there. YHARS remains our largest service.

2018

Expanded our service portfolio to include the LearnIT Program

In 2018, QYS expanded our service portfolio to include the LearnIT program in Townsville. Fortunately, we successully obtained a contract to continue delivering this service in Townsville through to 2026. 

2022

Project Overhaul was launched in Townsville and Mt Isa. We also learned that we were successful in our application for funding for Strengthening Young Minds (launched mid-2023).

Under the Early Intervention stream of the Safer Communities Fund, Project Overhaul is QYS’ approach to providing young people in the regions we serve with alternative pathways to a life of offending or anti-social behaviour. 

In communities across Australia, a need for more mental health support, particularly amongst young people, has been prevalent. In response to this need, QYS created Strengthening Young Minds to provide a space for young people to develop their knowledge surrounding the five pillars of resilience. 

Today

We continue on our mission to empower youth.

QYS continually searches for pathways and partnerships that allow us to increase our abilities to assist young people in need. All services currently delivered allow us to provide our region’s youth with opportunities to empower themselves and believe in their ability to transform their lives for the better.