Youth Services

YOUTH services

Empowering young people to build brighter futures

Children and young people need support right now.

Adolescence can be a challenging time for any young person — but for those facing hardship, it can be particularly difficult to navigate. Experiences such as homelessness, family breakdown, addiction or mental illness can disrupt education, strain relationships and limit opportunities to build independence.

One in six children (15.6%) or more than 750,000 children lived in poverty in 2022-23

(ACOSS 2025)

The Salvation Army’s Youth Services

The Salvation Army helps young people overcome challenges and build skills that promote independence and self-sufficiency. Our Youth Services provide a network of targeted programs that support young people to explore opportunities, strengthen support networks and connect meaningfully with their communities.

Our programs include:

Housing and homelessness support
Education, employment and training
Social and community activities
Driver training
Specialist therapeutic responses
Youth justice programs

A national, coordinated response

The strength of The Salvation Army Youth Services lies in the breadth of support we provide. Young people rarely face one challenge in isolation — so we offer services that respond to the whole person, coordinating practical assistance and therapeutic support across multiple areas of need, and staying alongside them as circumstances change.

Wrap-around support that meets young people where they are, walking alongside them across housing and homelessness, family breakdown, mental health and wellbeing, alcohol and other drugs, education and employment, and community connection—creating pathways to safety, belonging and independence.
Education pathways that open doors to brighter futures, including independent schools where available.
Driver education and training that helps young people gain their learner and provisional licences — a practical step towards employment, study and independence.
A national footprint, with services located across Australia — enabling consistent practice, shared expertise, and continuity of support for young people and families.

Addressing vulnerability and breaking cycles

Many young people who come to The Salvation Army have lived through experiences of family violence, poor mental health, housing instability, neglect and poverty—things no young person should have to carry. When home isn’t safe and support isn’t there, the risk of homelessness, harm and disconnection rises fast.

But despite what young people have been through, this doesn’t define who they are or how bright their future can be.

The Salvation Army is committed to providing inclusive, safe and welcoming environments for young people of all genders, backgrounds and abilities. We believe growth happens where people feel valued, heard and respected — and our centres provide that safe space for every young person who walks through our doors.

Oasis Youth Service

The ‘Spark Collective’ initiative of The Salvation Army Oasis Youth Service on the NSW Central Coast is a nine-month leadership program designed for teens and young adults. Its purpose is to empower young people to make their voices heard and take action to spark positive change within the community, while building self-confidence and important professional life skills. Young people involved in the program have the opportunity to plan and deliver youth events, learn how to plan and direct meetings with agendas, all while being mentored by great local leaders and youth workers.

Impact at scale

In 2025, The Salvation Army Youth Services:

Assisted nearly 4,700 young people in need

Provided more than 59,000 bed nights to young people at risk of or experiencing homelessness

Helped more than 2,600 students continue their education

Delivered more than 79,000 sessions of care

Empowering young people for lasting change

The Salvation Army’s national network of youth services provides targeted, holistic programs that support young people across Australia to overcome barriers and build stronger, brighter futures.

Our comprehensive programs help young people to:

Address alcohol and drug use – supporting young people to reduce or prevent harm, improve wellbeing, and strengthen resilience.
Secure stable housing – helping young people access and maintain safe, suitable and affordable long-term accommodation, with a strong focus on prevention and early intervention.
Pursue employment and training – empowering young people to develop skills, gain confidence and achieve their personal and professional goals in supportive learning environments.
Re-engage with education – providing flexible, welcoming spaces where young people can continue learning and explore their vocational aspirations.
Reduce connection with Youth Justice – working in partnership with young people to address the underlying causes of offending and support positive pathways forward.
Access therapeutic support – offering one-on-one and group programs to enhance mental wellbeing and promote healthy, positive relationships.
Build community connections – creating safe spaces for young people to develop social, emotional and life skills through community participation and activities.
Gain independence through driver training – helping young people obtain their learner and provisional licences, promoting mobility and self-reliance.

Our youth model of care: Journey to Independence

The Salvation Army’s Journey to Independence – Youth Services Model of Care provides a consistent, evidence-based framework that enhances the quality and impact of our youth programs nationwide.

Through this model, we aim to:

Improve accessibility and outcomes for young people across Australia

Strengthen practice, skills and expertise across our services

Build leadership in the youth sector and drive systemic change

We recognise the vital role we play in helping young people move towards independence. Our commitment is to walk alongside them as they build confidence, pursue their goals and realise their full potential.

_{Source: Youth Services National Model of Care}

Measuring our impact

The outcomes of The Salvation Army’s Youth Services are measured through the National Youth Services Outcomes Measurement Framework. This framework enables The Salvation Army to assess and evaluate the effectiveness and impact of our Youth services and interventions. The outcome measurement tool is a validated assessment of youth clients at intake and exit.

In 2023, The Salvation Army was a runner up in the Social Impact Measurement Network Australia (SIMNA) Awards for the Excellence in Social Impact Measurement award for our work in the National Youth Services Outcome Measurement project.

Real stories, real voices

“I’m building my independent living skills by cleaning and managing my own space and living positively with others. I’ve reflected on my frustrations and how to manage them—this is a work in progress. I’m paying rent weekly. You guys did right by me, and I’m grateful for the help I received when exiting the service.”

“I got my licence with this program! And thanks to that, I achieved getting a job, which I drive to most days. It’s also given me the freedom to go to the shops to get groceries etc. 
I am proud of myself. I have hope to gain a brighter outlook on life and what I can achieve.” 

Get in touch

Together, we can build brighter futures for young people

Your support for The Salvation Army empowers young people to break free from cycles of hardship and create lasting change in their lives.

By supporting our youth programs, you help build pathways to safety, healing and hope — not only for young people, but for future generations.

Join us in creating a future where every young person has the opportunity to thrive.

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