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BYS is a not-for-profit incorporated community association committed to providing services for young people between the ages of 12 -24 and their families. Our services are based on a sound understanding of young peoples' needs and experiences.
We were established in 1987 and have been the primary provider of youth services in Byron Shire ever since.
BYS advocates for young people and provides programs and facilities that support and empower young people and their families.
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Byron Youth Service is about to get busy!
- The Links to Learning program at BYS, called Skills4life is set to start on the 21st March for up to 60 lucky students to get a range of workshops to help them with school and in life;
- Northern Lights, our outreach pilot program for young people in the north of the Shire will be launched on 17th March;
- As part of National Youth Week, and sponsored by Byron Shire Council, BYS is running two exciting events:
- iSnap - a photography competition that will provide young people with a platform to exhibit their images and talent and maybe win great prizes, and
- the Bruns Sk8comp will run again this year, scheduled for 2nd April 10am-4pm.
In addition to those initiatives are our ongoing range of important services for the youth of Byron Shire:
- Groups and case management for Mullumbimby High students at the Cottage;
- Case management and parent support programs through Byron Bay High;
- Alternative to mainstream education through Byron Community Campus at the YAC,
- with BYS education support sponsored by St George Foundation;
- Enterprise support through the monthly Byron Flea Market;
- Work Off Your Fines program;
- Street Cruise Outreach to young people on Friday nights;
- After school drop-ins at YAC computer lab;
- Youth-driven, youth-produced, youth-centred theatre from BYS auspice group, Byron Youth Theatre;
- A growing volunteer and student placement program that provides members of the community with opportunities to contribute in rewarding ways to supporting young people;
- And of course, the YAC, a spacious and multi-use venue that is available to community for hire.
We are seeking a secretary to join our Management Committee! Please contact Teeya if interested.
The staff, volunteers, student placements and Management Committee at Byron Youth Service are in a constant creative fire, so keep alert, more will be coming!
Remember to give freely an encouraging smile to the young person in your life!
From all of us @ BYS,
Byron: 6685 7777
Mullum: 6684 3086
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MULLUMBIMBY COTTAGE
Programs at BYS Mullumbimby Cottage are off to a great start with four brand new groups of young people (2 x Year 8 and 2 x Year 9)
and a Year 10 group rolled over from last year, with some new participants registered. With so many new young people we've been doing a
lot of orientation and getting to know each other activities. The two boys' groups will be continuing the healthy, active living program
with Rick. This is a basic program based on fitness, endurance and strength. Individual needs and goals will be addressed, with initial sessions
based on building trust and subsequent sessions assessing their individual strengths.
The girls' groups like to focus on creative projects so after some brainstorming year 8 are creating a poster on women's rights, year 9 on emotion boxes
and year 10 on scrapbooking, focusing on feelings and changing priorities.
All groups have food together and there's always a lot of interesting discussions.
We would also like to welcome the new Head Welfare teacher at Mullumbimby High, Helen Bub-Connors, to the local area and look forward to working with her.
Very exciting planning is being carried out in preparation for a new program called Nalia Dubay (group of girls) with Mullumbimby High,
Delta Kay, Nickolla Clark and Belle Arnold. Partially funded through a NCRF grant, it will start in the second school term and will consist of half
Indigenous girls and half non-Indigenous. This is a pilot program and will hopefully be expanded.
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Courses - Programs - Activities
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BARISTA COURSE
When: Tuesday 11th April,
4pm -7pm
How much: $50
Who: Ages 15 - 24
Where: Byron Youth Activity Centre
1 Gilmore Crescent
Byron Bay
To book a place call 6685 77 77
Thanks to Byron Bay Coffee Company for donating coffee for our course!
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Safe Drivers Course for Learners
The Safer Learner Driver Course is a combined theoretical and practical Course for under 25 year-old learner drivers who have completed 50 hours of log book driving hours. The Course involves two Modules:
- Module one: A three-hour facilitated group discussion on how to manage risks on the road. This will involve a maximum of twelve participants and will be delivered by a facilitator.
- Module two: A two-hour in-vehicle coaching session to develop low-risk driving strategies. This will involve two participants and a coach.
Participants who complete the course will receive a bonus of 20 hours credit recorded in their learner driver log book.
COURSE NOTES:
- BYS is an RMS authorised Course Provider
- The Course costs a total of $140 for both modules.
- Participants may enjoy completing the Course with a friend particularly for the in-vehicle session.
- For more information please contact: Steffie Sims on 6685 7777 or email info@bys.org.au
Next Course dates:
Wednesday 5th April - 4.30pm to 7.30pm
Thursday 20th April - 10am to 1pm
To book visit:
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Work and Development Order (WDO)
The Work and Development Order (WDO) Scheme is an initiative that offers vulnerable young people (aged 12-24) the opportunity to clear outstanding fines with activities at the Byron Youth Service like unpaid/volunteer work, counselling, & participation in courses or programs.
WDOs are available to anyone who is homeless or in acute financial hardship, as well as people living with mental illness, intellectual disability, cognitive impairment or serious addiction.
Byron Youth Service is working together with Legal Aid NSW and the Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW) to link eligible clients with the program.
For more information call BYS on 6685 7777
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The youth suicide prevention "Here Today" production, funded by Country Arts Support Program, Regional Arts NSW and donations from Cunning Stunts Nudge Nudge Wink Wink event is getting underway with 10 BYT members.
Director Lisa Apostolides has been delighted with how quickly and effectively the 5 new young people (Honey, Charlotte, Aiyana, Oberon and Kara) have bonded in with the BYT family!!
" We have an amazing Company, again!! so much talent, drive and passion for social action theatre. I can already sense the power of the work we are going to produce together, it's magical!!"
The Here Today project research phase has been enhanced for BYT members by 2 guest speakers recently. The first a local young man who assisted us with another project who has a lived experience of periodic depression and anxiety and the other a local psychologist who specialises in dealing with youth issues. "We are collating loads of online research, stats and resources" shares BYT member Brynn "but it is more powerful to hear from real people with real experiences first hand.
The Company members have also created an online survey which they would appreciate community members completing to assist in this project. All responses are anonymous.
On the weekend BYT were out in the Arts and Industrial Estate and Byron town doing a photo shoot for their new website which is being developed by filmmaker and editor Nigel Haslam of Motion Circus
http://motioncircus.com/
. Geoff Payne, a SAE graphic design student and the wonderful Yani Clarke were the principal photographers. Take a look at a couple of shots below.
April will be a very busy time as several BYT members will be joining creative forces with Roundabout Theatre Director Valley Lipcer for the upcoming Pop Up Playspaces project
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Brianna, 16 years old, BCC student
1. What has been the best experience in your life?
Going overseas.
2. What inspires you?
My mum. A lot. She's so strong and so supportive of me.
3. What would you like to see happen in Byron Bay?
I'd like to see them get trains in, that would be really good.
4. When do you think a person becomes an adult and how?
When they start to be able to make their own decision about life and not follow everyone else.
5. What do you believe in?
I believe in everyone should be nice to each other.
6. What has been the worst experience in your life?
Probably going to school. There's too much pressure.
7. What would you like to change in the world?
I wish I could change that everyone who takes drugs and alcohol - I wish I could stop that.
8. What's important in a relationship?
Respect and trust.
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Byron Youth Service launches Northern Lights!
Byron Youth Service (BYS) is proud to announce the launch of an exciting new initiative!
Over the previous month, BYS has engaged in consultation with community members, organisations, businesses, services and young people in the north of the Shire to ask what locals would like to see happen for young people in the area.
The overwhelming feedback is that while the Shire as a whole is gaining in its reputation as a top tourism destination, young people are missing out. They cited lack of transport, and no central areas to meet and spend time together as a critical point of concern for young people in the north of the Shire.
In response, BYS is piloting the Northern Lights initiative, to provide programs and activities for young people 14 to 18 years old to be held at the Ocean Shores Community Centre. Food, music, and responsivity to young people's feedback and requests, this program will also provide young people from Mullumbimby, Brunswick Heads, Ocean Shores and South Golden Beach with transport and access to services.
The initiative is a grounds-up response and it hopes to evolve over time. There is potential for expansion with community input and support. With minimal resources, this pilot program will run weekly for 5 weeks after which funding will be sought to extend this program as a community service.
BYS would like to extend an invitation to young people to come along Fridays from 4 to 7pm at the Ocean Shores Community Centre. For more information on transport, please call Karim Kaufman on 66857777 or 0490 669 938.
What:
Northern Lights - Free food, music, games, activities.
When:
Fridays
Time:
4 - 7pm
Where
: Ocean Shores Community Centre
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STREET CRUIS
E
Cruising the Byron Shire on Friday nights from 8pm till 12am.
THANK YOU TO OUR AWESOME SPONSORS!!!!
BYRON CAPTURED WATER
EARTH N SEA PIZZA
&
BYRON BAY POLICE
for allowing us to park thebus on their property!
Your donations are invaluable.
Click on link below to donate!
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Management Committee 2017
Kristie Clifton Chairperson
Michael Goldberg
Vice Chairperson
Ian Leggo Treasurer
Mark Smith Member
Martyn Mills Member
Patrick Lorenz Member
Teeya Blatt Manager
Byron Youth Service
Workers
Teeya Blatt Manager
Deb Pearse Mullum Youth Coordinator
Rosalie Bryant Byron - Youth Coordinator
Stephanie Sims YAC Coordinator
Berri Drum Byron Flea Coordinator
Dale Shaddick Education Support Youth Worker
Lindy Lou Smith Links to Learning Coordinator
Karim Kauffman Links to Learning Facilitator
Jonathan Edwards Accounts
David Dalton Street Cruise
Yani Clarke Resident Photographer
Zen Kahlert Facilitator NL
Community Project Workers
Byron Community Campus
Chad Kolcze The Uncle Project
Morag Roseby The Uncle Project
Lisa Apostolides BYT Youth Theatre Co-ordinator
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