Programs
The Bert Willams Aboriginal Youth Services (BWAYS) and is a service of and managed by the Victorian Aboriginal Community Services Association Limited (VACSAL). BWAYS has been operatin since the late 1970’s and has been funded through various Victorian Government operated the service and in 1984 the operation of the service was transferred to VACSAL.
BWAYS aims to deliver proactive and preventative services to Koorie youth who reside and / or visit the North and West Metropolitan Region (NWMR) with the focus of reducing the over- representation within the youth justice system and their progress through the youth justice and homeless service system. This is achieved by ensuring that BWAYS delivers appropriate responses to enable quality outcomes for Koorie youth who are homeless and / or are within the youth justice system or at risk of entering the system.
Aims and Objectives
BWAYS aims to deliver a proactive and preventative services to Koorie youth who reside and / or visit the North and West Metropolitan Region (NWMR) with the focus of reducing the over- representation within the youth justice system and their progress through the youth justice and homeless service system.
This is achieved by ensuring BWAYS delivers appropriate responses to enable quality outcomes for Koorie youth who are homeless and / or are within the youth justice system or at risk of entering the system.
The Bert Williams Aboriginal Youth Services comprise of three streams of operations -
Aboriginal Youth Hostel Crisis/Homelessness Short Term Accommodation
Koorie Youth Justice Program (KYJP)
Early School Leavers Program (ESLP)
Aboriginal Youth Hostel Crisis/Homelessness Short Term Accommodation
Available for: 12 week accommodation
Target: Aboriginal Male aged 16 — 22
Services / Supports: safe and secure crisis accommodation, 24 hours a day, case management, independent living and life skills, networking, assistance to secure, medium-term accommodation and / or reconnect to family and/ or community.
Koorie Youth Justice Program (KYJP)
Target: Male and female aged 10-20 years of age
Services / Supports: Court advice, networking, case work, secondary consult, Aboriginal Cultural Support Plans, Community supports and linkages, early intervention and prevention programs
Early School Leavers Program (ESLP)
Target: Male and female aged 10-20 years of age
Services / Supports: Case work, Community Support and Linkages, Early Intervention, Networking and Community activities (i.e Homework Classes)
Community Activities
1. Tuesday Night Homework Class for local Aboriginal students attending Primary School and/or High School
2. VACSAL-BWAYS Year 12 Graduation Dinner
3. VACSAL-BWAYS NAIDOC 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament
4. VACSAL Bill Muir Aboriginal Basketball Classic
5. VACSAL Junior Football & Netball Carnival
For further information and to make a referral please contact the Bert Williams Aboriginal Youth Services staff on:
Phone: (03) 9484 5310
Fax: (03) 9416 9219
