This year, INA is excited to announce our partnership with ICYS Ipswich Community Youth Service.

ICYS is a not-for-profit organization that has been providing invaluable assistance and support to at-risk young people, their families, and their communities in the Ipswich and surrounding regions since 1983.

To show our support, INA encourages all members to wear blue, yellow, and pink on the day to help raise awareness and funds for ICYS.

We have some exciting activities planned:

• Prizes will be awarded for the best-dressed teams in each round.
• There will be a lucky number board with chances to win fantastic prizes.
• For every slushie sold on the day, INA will donate $1 to ICYS.

Let's come together as a community to make a difference.

In support of ICYS, Ipswich Netball is running a Lucky Number Board. All Numbers are $10 each. 

ICYS strive to provide vital services to young people in Ipswich and the surrounding communities.  They have a range of programs available to assist the needs of children and young people.

Housing and Homelessness

The ICYS Youth Housing And Support (YHAS) Program provides support to young people at risk of or experiencing homelessness.

The program provides external support to any young person aged 16 – 25 experiencing issues with housing and homelessness. We also offer supported accommodation to young people aged 16 – 25 with dependent children within one of our five properties.

In addition to this service, ICYS has published a young person’s guide to the rental market entitle “Rant Free Renting” to assist young people to tackle the challenges associated with entering the rental market for the first time.

If you would like more information about our housing program click here.

Youth Support Services

These programs assess the needs of a young person, provide individualised case management support, share information about specialist services they can access and refer appropriately.  Both IYSS and RYSS provide individual one-on-one support to young people in the context of their family and community.

Our Ipswich and Regional Youth Support Service (IYSS & RYSS) supports young people aged 12-21 years who live in suburbs of Ipswich and the Somerset and Lockyer Valley region. Youth support workers within these teams work directly with young people and provide practical support that meet the individual needs and goals of young people.

The youth support workers can help you if you are having difficulties with your family and friends, housing, school, work and/or youth justice matters etc.

If you are wanting support you can call or visit the ICYS office and refer yourself. Otherwise, another adult can do this for you.

If you are an external service you can complete our Third-Party Referral form or you can directly contact the IYSS Team Leader on yss@icys.org.au

If you believe you need the assistance of our IYSS or RYSS staff click here

Education Engagement

ICYS also provides guidance and information to young people between 12 and 25 around alternative schooling and training options.

ICYS has delivered Education and Support to schools within the Ipswich and surrounding regions since 1997, supporting young people most at risk of disengaging (and those who are newly disengaged) from formal education to address barriers to engagement.

Youth Support Coordinators provide regular on-site service delivery within designated educational institutions in addition to providing outreach to students and their communities through individual case management, group work and community projects.

If you would like more information regarding this service click here

Employment and Training

Ipswich Community Youth Service run a highly successful (Free) Get Set for Work program (GSFW) which is funded by the Queensland Government under the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative. 

In 2023, 36 participants enrolled in the Cert II Kitchen Operations, 22% gained a statement of attainment and 75% gained the full Certificate. 

By the end of 2023, 83% have gone into employment, further training or both! 

• For 15-19-year old disadvantaged youth 
  
• Empathetic, safe, and inclusive environment 
  
•  Supportive, small classes 
  
• Developing skills to be job ready   
  
• Developing social skills 
  
• Developing life skills 
  
• Time management skills 
  
• Creating a fun and positive peer network 
  
• Working as part of a team environment 
  
• Working under leadership of qualified chefs and hospitality staff at TAFE QLD 
  
• Support with Cover letter building, Resume writing, Job search, Interview tips and techniques 
  
• Intensive employment and training assistance over a 12-month period