Youth Projects now in Sunshine

(left to right) Tom Downie (Transition to Work, Youth Projects), Dinuki Rajapaksha (Centre for Multicultural Youth), Hope Hood (Youth Advisory Group, Youth Projects) and Ben Vasililou (Youth Projects chief executive)

By Holly McGuinness

A Youth Projects hub has opened in Sunshine, making it easier for young people to access specialist employment and homelessness services.

Youth Projects is a not-for-profit organisation that works with young people across Melbourne.

The organisation is expanding its services to the western suburbs, with similar hubs also opened in Melton and Werribee.

Chief executive officer Ben Vasiliou said the hub is designed to be a place young people can feel safe, secure, and is designed on the theory of self-determination.

“This is our moment to ensure young people can recover from the pandemic,” he said,

Youth Projects said it has already put 544 young people into sustainable and meaningful work in the west, however Mr Vasiliou said the number of young people in need of help was concerning.

“Wait lists are out of control. Mental health statistics, through the roof,” he said .

“There is a wicked problem here in the west and it takes rich conversation, immediate action to help solve it.”

The hub is at 24 Devonshire Road (entrance via Clarke Street) in Sunshine.