Jessica Nakakawa
Head of the Programs (Youth and Community)
Jess (she/her) is the Head of the Programs (Youth and Community) team. She joined GYS in July 2024. Her knowledge and experience in program design and evaluation, coaching, and human resources make her skilled in leading programs and teams. She has worked in both for-profit and not-for-profit sectors including youth, disability, and community. She graduated from the Master of Science in Coaching Psychology and from the Master of Social Work and is a Certified Executive Coach. Jess is also underwent trainings on Suicide Prevention and MAAD (Managing Angry Adolescents Differently). Jess loves dancing and has certifications in Zumba, and Total Barre!
Habil Mawardi
Youth Worker
Habil Mawardi has been part of Glebe Youth Service for over a decade, He’s worked closely with at-risk young people across Glebe and the inner city, including First Nations communities and young people in public housing.
Habil runs several of GYS’s core programs, including Middle Ground, supporting Year 5–6 students through a critical transition period, and the Thursday Boys Drop-In, a space for young people to connect, build skills, and access support.
Having grown up in public housing in the Glebe/City of Sydney area himself, Habil brings genuine, lived understanding to his work and a deep commitment to helping young people find pathways forward.
Jennifer Norton
Operations Manager
Jennifer is a Lebanese-Australian woman who started at Glebe Youth Service as a social work placement student in 2019, subsequently gaining employment as the youth and family worker for our family food relief program, Glebe Food Circle. Now, Jennifer works as the family worker on Middle Ground and supports the operations of Glebe Youth Service as the Development Officer.
Jennifer started studying her double degree of Bachelor of Social Research and Policy/Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) at UNSW in 2015 – but soon realised that social work was her true passion and is now a qualified social worker, getting her Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) in 2022. Jennifer considers herself to be an intersectional feminist and is passionate about trauma-informed work and decolonising practices.
Tapashya Chapagain
Engagement Practitioner
I am Tapashya Chapagain. I recently completed my Master of Social Work. I came to Glebe Youth Service as a social work student on placement, and now working as a Youth and Community Engagement Practitioner. My experience includes working with individuals experiencing homelessness, young people, and people from diverse cultural and community backgrounds. I am passionate about supporting individuals to overcome challenges, build on their strengths, and achieve positive outcomes. I am committed to creating meaningful change in people’s lives through compassionate, person-centered practice and fostering inclusive environments where people feel respected, supported, and empowered.