IT’S a situation that many choose to ignore, but the sad reality is that youth homelessness is alive and well in the Southern Highlands.
And as far as Bowral Youth Refuge co-ordinator, Marishia Crooks, is concerned it is a situation that has become a responsibility for the entire community.
The Bowral Youth Refuge comes under the auspice of a voluntary management committee, the Highland Youth and Family Services, made up of youth workers, police representatives and community representatives.
The refuge is part of a statewide network of refuges that are supported by a peak guiding body, the Youth Accommodation Association (YAA) with funding from both the Federal and State Government administered by Department of Community Service’s (DOCS) Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP).
The Bowral refuge has provided a safe haven, food and accommodation for homeless young people aged from 14 years and 9 months up to 18 years since 1985.
Ms Crooks, who took over the role of refuge co-ordinator about two years ago, brings with her about 15 years experience as a youth worker.
But she is quick to emphasise she sees her role as more than just a job.
“The youth workers can at times take on a pseudo-parent role for the many young people that turn to the refuge for support,” she said.
“This role can mean a bonding process takes place and the young person can sometimes keep in contact with the youth worker for a couple of years and beyond.
“Usually teenagers come to us as a last resort.
“They have been unable to resolve the problems that have seen them turn away from family and they have nowhere else to go.
“They often come to us with nothing but the clothes on their back. Some have been sleeping rough in the street, some have been neglected and show this through such problems as being very underweight, or having poor hygiene.
“A common factor among them though is often a poor self- esteem.
“We begin to work with them immediately and our first focus is on getting them healthy.”
Ms Crooks said the Bowral refuge received anything from 10-40 referrals a month, but had the capacity to accommodate a maximum of only six young people at a time.
“Our priority is to support local youth first, but we have had youth from as far away as Orange, Lithgow, Taree and Bateman’s Bay,” she said.
“The best situation would be to keep young people close to their family, friends and schools so there is a chance of resolution with families and so they can maintain a connection with other people in their lives, but this is not always possible.
“There is no where near enough refuge accommodation across the state to support the problem of youth homelessness.
“Sadly, moving away increases the likelihood of such problems as long-term homelessness, depression and drug taking.”
Ms Crooks said support was developed for each young person as soon as they arrived at the refuge.
She said the reality was that most young people who came to the centre did not return to their families.
“The sad truth is that many of these young people have come from a very unstable home environment,” she said.
“We can only provide accommodation for homeless youth for a maximum of three months so we have to help them develop the skills and self-esteem they need to ultimately support themselves.”
Ms Crooks said the challenges faced by adolescents today were not unlike those faced by young people 50 years ago.
However, she said the biggest difference today was technology such as mobile phones and computers.
She said young people had always struggled with the intensity of what went on in their lives as they moved toward adulthood.
“It (the teenage years) are a really confusing time,” she said.
“Young people are just trying to develop the skills they need to deal with the challenges of relationships with family and friends, but some don’t have the support they need at home in their family structure and the resources that go with such structure.
“A lot of the kids who come to us have low self-esteem and opt for a higher level of risk taking.
“They end up in trouble because of the choices they make without guidance - if their family can’t provide the support and resources needed to protect them it is up to the community to step in.
“I have seen many young people turn their life around with the right guidance.
“A lot of the time what they need most is a hug and someone to trust.”
The Bowral Refuge relies on the support of the community to provide a comprehensive service to homeless youth.
Donations of equipment, clothes and basic household items, that can be used by young people looking to set up their own home once they can no longer stay at the refuge, is greatly appreciated.
Details: 4861 3400.
Email a friend