YOUTH

In this section:  

City of Ballarat Youth Services Provide a service to young people in Ballarat and the surrounding areas ages 12- 25 years. Youth Services works within a community strengthening framework aiming to engage young people in their local community. Young people who are involved in Youth Services' committees are provided with opportunities to be involved with a range of projects and events. It is through this involvement young people have access to a range of skills enhancement,  training and development.

Civic responsibility, community connectedness and youth participation are vital components in which Youth Services aim to skill young people. Youth Services volunteers have the opportunity to learn about the City of Ballarat, local government, advocate to Council on behalf of Ballarat's youth community about projects or decisions that affect young people living in and around Ballarat.

Through involvement with Youth Services young people improve their connectedness; not only to other young people but to a range of services and organisations that work closely with young people and with other people and opportunities within the area. Youth participation is such an important part of Youth Service's work as it provides the young people involved with some ownership over the events and projects completed.

Youth Services works hard to support young people by advocating for young people as a community group to help provide information to the City of Ballarat, State and Federal government as well as community organisations.

Youth Services work in collaboration with existing networks to ensure effective and equitable resources and initiatives are developed for young people.  By advocating for young people, providing connection between young people and the community, supporting initiatives with resources and knowledge and assisting to develop partnerships assists to improve the opportunities for Ballarat's young people.

YOUTH SERVICES MISSION

• To foster the development of youth participation  in all aspects of community life beyond home and school
• To contribute to the development of services that meet young people's needs and assist in their transitions into adult life.
• To encourage and empower young people the plan a meaningful role in the decisions and processes which affect the Ballarat youth community
• Work towards young people having the right and the means to democratically participate in all aspects of society that affect them, particularly the civic decision making process that affect them.