What we do

Young Life Australia aims to bring about positive reinforcement leading to positive outcomes in young people. Being a teenager today is like walking a tightrope… every step is a real challenge, and without the right guidance they’re likely to fall.

We’re here to make a real and tangible difference. We’re ready to help pick up the pieces whenever a fall happens, and we help lead, support and empower our nation’s young people so that they can avoid some of society’s downsides in the first place.

We seek to instil a sense of purpose and values in teenagers in order to try and minimise the risk of young people from carrying out dangerous activities like binge drinking, drug taking and high risk behaviour, through instigating meaningful relationships with adult role models.

In many ways we’re like a coach with support staff, and our team members are often not that much older than the teens we positively interact with. This means there aren?t many cross-generational barriers to slow things down or derail the lines of communication.

Young Life has a team of specialist field staffers and volunteers, committed group leaders and energetic helpers, all screened, resourced, and trained in youth focussed leadership, counselling, and mentor roles.

We build self-esteem and confidence in teenagers, and provide practical advice as well as pastoral care, without judgement, in much the same way a School Chaplain might. In fact, a growing number of our YLA area leaders are School Chaplains as well.

Our people are highly motivated and thoroughly equipped to cope with just about any interaction situation. Someone is always available to help, guide, tutor, or simply just listen to the teenagers that we support. Any time of the day or night.