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For more than 30 years, Open Family Australia has been providing a range of Outreach services to young people experiencing high complex needs.

Our client group is young people aged between 12 and 25 who are disengaged from society.

Over 80% of these young people are in this situation due to family break down or family conflict. This issue goes across all socio-economic groups and may result in homelessness, criminal activity, drug abuse, mental health problems and disengagement from school or employment.

Methodology

Through our expertise and proven methodology we go to where young people are. We look in the hot spots such as railway stations, shopping centres, rooming houses and squats. We engage with young people to link them to services which can help them connect back into a supportive environment and a healthy community. This could include crisis support and services such as housing, health, drug and alcohol programs, family counselling, legal services, re-engagement back into school, and assisting young people to find suitable work.

We never judge, we never give up and we never turn away.

Open Family Australia is incorporated as a public company limited by guarantee and is governed by a Board of Directors. It is registered with the Australian Taxation Office as a Public Benevolent Institution and has Deductible Gift Recipient Status.

In December 2011 Open Family Australia merged with like-minded youth organisation, Whitelion. Read more about the merger.