Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation Beneficiary March 2006 Regional Youth Support Services

Youth Arts Space – Gosford

Regional Youth Support Services is a youth service that provides support, information, referral services and youth activities to those aged 12-25 years on the Central Coast. The aims of the service are:

1. To recognise the positive potential of young people and to encourage their growth towards the realisation of this potential.

2. To promote an organisational environment that is efficient and effective in providing youth services.

3. To foster greater awareness, harmony and understanding of youth issues and needs in our community.

4. To promote the development of social and support networks with young people and provide assessment, information and referral services.

5. Support the development of resources and facilities with, and for, young people. Also to actively encourage accessibility and equity to resources for young people.

6. To provide innovative and educational community programs to enhance the opportunities for young people’s personal development and well being.

The service is funded through the NSW Department of Community Services and Gosford City Council.

Funds were sought to assist Regional Youth Support Services to construct a “Youth Arts Space”. This facility will provide a space where young people’s skills in the performing and visual arts, music, computers and dance can be nurtured and encouraged. The space will hold up to 250 people and will become the cultural “hub” for young people on the Central Coast. This space will be located in the Gosford CBD.

The aim of this facility is to meet the training, skills development and recreational needs of local young people (with particular focus on the troubled and disadvantaged). This project also aims to reduce crime, violence and truancy rates thus benefiting the broader community.

The project has already received funding approval through the Federal Government ($150,000) and the NSW Government ($150,000). These monies are to be used to purchase and refurbish a building in the Gosford CBD.

$135,000 has been requested from the Foundation for the purchase of 10 computer terminals, IT training packages, sound recording equipment and stage performance equipment.

It is anticipated that once a building has been sourced and refurbished this project will have a minimum life of 20 years.

This project is unique to the Central Coast and will compliment the work of local schools, Regional Art Gallery, local theatres and other youth service providers.