*Our values
The Story of Youth Street
Youth Street is community development program aimed at reaching young people (12 – 17yrs). It was created to provide a safe place where young people feel valued and learn to build healthy relationships while developing skills such as skate, sport, dance, music, and art.
The concept of Youth Street originated in Newcastle, NSW about 10 years ago. As YWAM Newcastle spent time with the youth of their city, they were challenged by how many young people lacked quality mentors and a safe place to hang out; so they established Youth Street, a positive community for youth to thrive in. Since then, Youth Street has operated in many locations such as Darwin, Sydney, Townsville, Melbourne and even Mexico!
Youth Street is not just a physical location. It is a community of young people involved in different programs that can be adapted to any and all locations using whatever resources available. The vision of Youth Street is to adopt, to accept, to love, and to listen. Imagine creating a place where there is no risk of danger, and through a positive, affirming atmosphere, youth have the freedom to be themselves and express themselves. With thousands of young people impacted nationally, Youth Street provides this environment on a weekly basis.
The Values of Youth Street
Youth Street is founded on a set of 5 key values. These 5 values are the DNA of this program and are how Youth Street operates on a weekly basis. Each one of these values is firmly established within the heart and lifestyle of every Youth Street staff member and at the core of every single Youth Street activity. Without each on of them in place, it’s just not Youth Street!
If it’s not dynamic, it’s not Youth Street! A dictionary definition of dynamic is this: “characterized by constant change; full of energy and new ideas”. Youth Street is a place where everybody is on the edge of their seat, waiting to find out what’s next. Young people need fun and excitement and are always after the next big thing. To reach young people today, our activities are truly awesome, not to us, but to them.
If it’s not honouring, it’s not Youth Street! “Honouring to who?” someone might ask. The answer is to everyone! It is highly important to us that every young person, parent, and community member that spends time or is involved with Youth Street feels respected. One of the best things we do for the crew (youth) in our teams is help them be in relationship with their families. Our young people will observe the way we treat their parents, and hopefully, they will follow our example. We would like this to be contagious from us to our young people.
If it’s not inclusive, it’s not Youth Street! What are the chances of someone feeling left out at Youth Street? Absolutely zero! Every young person, parent, and visitor who can possibly be included has a place in the family. How do they know they have a place in the family? They know because that’s what we tell them and that’s what we give them.
Youth Street is a place where everybody fits in and everybody belongs. No one should have to barge their way into being a part of the family. Every first timer should feel like this and know, “Now that I’ve come here, this family couldn’t do without me!”
If we’re not developing them, it’s not Youth Street! Part of being a young person is growing into the adult they will become. We’ve found that when we develop young people in practical skills like skateboarding tricks and dance moves, they also look to us for
development in the big picture issues of life. We need to have huge ambition for them. If they’re on the sports team, we view them as the world’s next best athlete. If they’re on the music team, we view them as the world’s next greatest songwriter or performer. No matter what team they’re on, we see them as world changers!
If it’s not multiplying, it’s not Youth Street! Multiplying what? Multiplying teams, number of attendants, facilities, vehicles, finances, everything! One of the most foundational aspects of Youth Street is that we’re always going to be helping more people the next week than we did this week. This takes hard work, deep commitment, and unstoppable tenacity. From the very start we’ve been committed to this statement. “anything less than growth is unacceptable.”
