It Starts Within
“It just felt like a great space to come after school. It felt calm and safe, and you could have a feed. All of the above. And as you get older… I’d rather come here on the weekend than do other things. I’d rather come down here and see everyone…”
The experiences of Mali and Sarah, both now soaring towards adulthood, teach us how we might foster a stronger sense of connection for young people: it comes from those closest to the ground, from community – from within.
Sarah first came to the Glebe Youth Service when she was just 14 years old, attending programs like Girlzone and After Dark. For her, the Youthie was more than just a place to spend time—it was a safe, welcoming space where she could have fun, build friendships, and feel a sense of belonging.
Through her experiences at Glebe Youth Service, Sarah discovered a passion for supporting and empowering other young people. Inspired by the positive impact youth organisations can have on someone’s life, she decided to pursue a Certificate IV in Youth Work and later completed her student placement with us at Glebe Youth Service.
After continuing to build her career in the community services sector, Sarah returned to Glebe Youth Service. Nearly two years later, she officially joined our team as a Youth Worker.
Today, Sarah helps deliver the very programs she once attended as a young person. Her journey is a wonderful full-circle story that reflects the power of creating safe spaces where young people can grow, discover their passions, and realise their potential. It is also a reminder that the support we provide today can inspire the leaders and changemakers of tomorrow.
We are incredibly proud to have Sarah as part of our team and can’t wait to see all the amazing things she will continue to achieve in her career and the positive impact she will have on the lives of so many young people.
A Safe Space to Grow
The youthie is important to me because it’s a neutral safe space and it allows the kids and teens to feel comfortable and confident.
There was a period of time in my life where I would always stay in my house. I couldn’t do things that confident people could do like maintaining eye contact, keeping conversations going, socializing with people outside of this suburb. But working with the youthie has allowed me to socialize more and build my confidence in meeting new people. I am able to talk with different types of people and hold eye contact. And I feel that’s the case for many young teens.
Habil has helped me build my confidence over the last 2 years and it’s allowed me to feel comfortable in who I am.