Helping the Youth of Kalgoorlie-Boulder

The Minister for Community Services, John Cobb, today visited the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Youth Accommodation Service (KBYAS), which helps young people in the region.

‘The Salvation Army has established this centre to assist young homeless people, and those at risk, remain connected with their community and develop essential life skills,’ Mr Cobb said.

‘With funding under the joint Commonwealth/State Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP), KBYAS provides crisis accommodation for young people in need of secure housing.

‘This funding is assisting the Service to offer support to youth and their families, giving the young homeless people the opportunity to achieve independent living skills, better self-esteem and personal growth.

‘It also assists young people, who are at risk of disconnecting from their families and community, have the best possible chance to develop into valuable members of the community.

‘Today’s visit gave me the opportunity to see first hand the work being done by the dedicated workers of the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Youth Accommodation Service,’ Mr Cobb said.

SAAP is jointly funded by the Australian Government and the state and territory governments and is Australia’s primary response to homelessness. The Western Australian Department of Community Development administers the SAAP agreement between the Australian and Western Australian Governments.