Our Community Services

A word from the General Manager

In FY25, requests for homelessness support through our Great Lakes and Manning Youth Homelessness Service (GLAMYHS) rose by 28%, while demand for Homebase Youth Services grew by 27%. Helping Hands delivered more than 7,000 hours of care and over 3,400 building jobs.

Together, we provided 63,633 instances of community services across the Mid North Coast and Illawarra – helping young people and families through challenges, supporting older people to remain safe and independent in their homes, and strengthening community connection.

The GLAMYHS service model continues to evolve and provides consistent and effective outcomes for young people. Homebase has continued to deliver a broad range of successful programs – from PaCE Homework Club and the Driver Licensing Access Program (DLAP), to Worimi Advocacy Referral Service (WARS), Targeted Early Intervention (TEI), case management, Supported Playgroup, Strive for Success and school-based programs.

We are proud that Strive for Success has supported hundreds of young people to overcome barriers to employment, build confidence and skills and take meaningful steps into work and study. 89% of participants who gained work remained employed, averaging 20 hours per week, and most overcame multiple barriers to do so. The results show what’s possible when young people are supported with the right mix of coaching, training and encouragement.

Still, this year has tested our communities. Housing shortages remain at critical levels, and the effects of high inflation over a number of years has driven up the cost of living. The surge in demand has led to waiting lists being prioritised for clients who are most at risk, while rising electricity, food and operating costs have placed enormous strain on already tight budgets at our GLAMYHS youth refuge and Homebase programs.

In May 2025, devastating floods across the MidCoast compounded these challenges – displacing families, damaging homes and stretching already limited resources. Our team worked tirelessly to respond, supporting those impacted through crisis accommodation, emergency relief and referral pathways, often while balancing their own personal challenges from the floods.

Through all this, what continues to inspire me most is the dedication of our staff – an extraordinary group of compassionate and resilient people who show up every day to make a difference. They go above and beyond, working with creativity and determination to ensure service delivery continues despite immense pressures. I am proud to be part of such an exceptional team.

As we move forward, we remain committed to strengthening services, advocating for those most at risk, and building a community where everyone can belong and thrive.

GENERAL MANAGER