YACSA

Yesterday our Youth Participation Intern, Hana officially started at YACSA! 💚

She is joining the team for a project looking at youth participation across the state, in partnership with the Commissioner for Children and Young People SA.

Over the next few months Hana will be mapping existing youth participation structures and helping to develop practical tools and approaches that improve how young people influence decisions and systems across the state.

You can find out more about Hana, and the rest of the team, via our website 👉 www.yacsa.com.au/team

ID: Five people standing together smiling at the camera for a 0.5 selfie. The group are in an office space, in front of a room divider covered in colourful posters, buttons and flags.

Code Blue Response ❄️ Multiple regions

Due to extremely low overnight temperatures forecast, a Code Blue response for people sleeping rough is active in multiple regions until Saturday 11 July.

Call Homeless Connect SA on 1800 003 308 (24 hours, 7 days) to find out what additional support may be available.

For more information, visit https://sa.gov.au/homelessness-support

Last week YACSA’s CEO, Natalie Matulick, spent time in Canberra with fellow youth peak CEOs, connecting with parliamentarians and national leaders to keep the voices and experiences of young people front and centre in national conversations.

During the trip Natalie attended the Parliamentary Friends of Young People event at Parliament House, and met with the Office of the Minister for Youth, the Shadow Minister for Youth, and the Australian Greens.

Attendees of the Parliamentary Friends event were lucky enough to hear from South Australian young person, Raghunaath Vijayan (Raghu).

Raghu shared insights into young people’s experiences, and speaking with conviction and authenticity, delivered a powerful reminder of why they need to be part of the conversations and decisions that affect their lives.

The event was also hosted by fellow South Australian, Senator Walker, who at 21 years old became the youngest person ever elected to the Australian Senate. Thank you for facilitating these important discussions, and bringing young people’s voices to the table.

It was a valuable few days of collaboration, advocacy and relationship building, and a great opportunity to ensure South Australia's youth sector is contributing to national discussions and learning from our colleagues across the country.

Youth Action NSW The Youth Coalition of the ACT
Youth Affairs Council of Western Australia Youth Affairs Council Victoria

ID (1): Charlotte and Raghu stand beside a blue AYAC banner, with Natalie in front of the opposite side. All three are leaning in and smiling at the camera.
ID (2): Natalie stands in the centre of a group of adults and young people standing on a staircase and smiling for the photo.

Last week YACSA’s Senior Project Officer, Doug, visited the transformed Youth Inc. campus for the ‘Festival of the Unexpected’.

The festival showcased installations, performances and creative projects imagined, designed and built by young people, highlighting their creativity, innovation and unique perspectives.

The festival was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when young people are trusted, supported and empowered to create their own futures.

Youth Inc. is an alternative school for 17–24-year-olds, where young people shape their individual learning journeys while working toward academic accreditations.

Their term three enrolments are open now – learn more via Youth Inc. 👉 www.youthinc.sa.edu.au

ID (1): Doug and Young Inc.’s Head of Marketing, Patrick, smile at the camera. (2): Three photos are in rectangles with rounded corners. The largest is an installation of a bright blue and yellow snake, with bright green text underneath. The two are smaller sit along the right of the largest, a miniature tree scape created inside a school locker, and a pink, red and orange Youth Inc banner below.