The Melbourne Youth Bus (MYB) had a big outreach day in Melbourne’s west on Saturday, August 2, making stops to help communities in Footscray, St Albans and Docklands.
The afterhours mobile outreach service helps young people who are experiencing homelessness, are at risk of homelessness, or who are experiencing other complex issues.
MYB’s outreach coordinator Yasin Celik said while 16 to 25-year-olds are the organisation‘s main target group, MYB helps out anybody who needs it.
“We help out with essentials. We do have youth counsellors among our volunteers. We try to help out anybody who needs counselling or needs directing to services,” he said.
“[MYB is] just trying to create a safe space where [people needing help] can come and sit down. If they seem to be lost we can give them a bit of confidence and if they need further help we can always stay in touch with them.”
MYB’s big outreach day came ahead of homelessness week, which takes place from August 4 to 8 and aims to raise awareness of the impact of homelessness.
Mr Celik said community members should try to understand the complex circumstances that homeless people face.
“Those people the community are scared of are actually scared themselves,” he said.
“Sometimes a ‘hello, good morning or g’day’ can really change things.”
The MYB runs on the first and third Friday of each month from 3 to 5.30pm in Footscray and 6.30 to 9.30pm at Errington Reserve in St Albans.
