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OF EDUCATION TO A YOUNG PERSON IN
from Mackay Life
YIRS One Stop Youth Shop Inc. (Youth Information Referral Service) is a non-government organisation operating in our region since 1996 and provides support to disengaged and disadvantaged youth between the ages of 8 – 21 years with the aim to remove barriers that young people and their families often face when accessing services relevant to their needs.
YIRS works alongside external organisations by offering numerous services in one location and offers an alternative distance education program for young people in years 8, 9 and 10 who have disengaged or are disadvantaged to continue their education in a mainstream education setting. Post year 10, YIRS assists youth to continue with further education, and apprenticeship and employment pathways.
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The YIRS team is small, but they deliver so much to the young people who present to the service for assistance. They are a trusted, safe space and they see and hear about heartbreaking situations every day and keep doing what they do because they are so committed and passionate. YIRS are always seeking opportunities to assist with the possible expansion of program delivery to continue to decrease margins and to benefit the youth of Mackay and the region.
The organisation is committed to helping young people with the most basic of needs that we often take for granted. Things like access to good quality food which they help to prepare, as YIRS is seeing increasing numbers of young people who present because there is no food at home. YIRS also helps with budgeting, medical needs, identification needs, transport – basic everyday needs.
YIRS One Stop Youth Shop Inc. is currently seeking sponsorship to continue to educate young people who are disengaged from mainstream schooling. These are young people who are slipping through the cracks through no fault of their own because unfortunately, we know that not all young people have a roof over their heads, 3 meals a day and a safe and happy home environment.
If you can assist, or hear more about YIRS, please let me know. If you wished to contact them directly call 4957 7949 or email admin@yirs.org.au.
