SYC was established on September 9th 1958 and was initially focussed on assisting adolescents in state managed institutions and offering a “drop-in” centre and social activities for young people. Over the past 50 years, SYC has delivered many innovative programs aimed at helping young people achieve their potential. In 1962, SYC was the first organisation to deliver streetwork services in Australia. SYC faced many challenges in the early years and became an incorporated body in 1963, enabling SYC to grow and extend its much needed programs and services.

 

50 years on, SYC’s programs and services are still being offered to young people in South Australia. SYC’s success over time can be attributed to our ability to respond to the service needs of young people and seize opportunities to deliver innovative programs for the future.

 

Key dates in the History of SYC

 

1962 The highly successful ‘streetwork’ programme was formed. This programme offered casework services for disconnected young people on the city streets.

 

1963 SYC became an incorporated body and many programs were developed to grow the organisation and extend its services.

 

1971 “The Shack” was opened on Melbourne Street as a coffee shop and drop in centre where young people could meet and hang out in a fun, free and safe venue.

 

1975 The State Government provided financial support to SYC to extend its services to more suburbs.

 

1981 Trace-A-Place (TAP) was developed (and is still running today). Young people, 12-25 who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, can contact SYC’s Trace-A-Place (TAP). TAP is the central assessment and referral agency for emergency and supported accommodation through the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP).

 

1988 “The Underground” became available to young people, which replaced “The Shack” of the 1970s. “The Underground” was a place of respite for young people. It provided them with shelter, basic food items, long term and crisis counselling as well as some basic recreation activities.

 

1993 Cooperative Foundation Court (CFC) was built; a group of 7 housing units, giving SYC the opportunity to offer independent accommodation for homeless young people.

 

1995 SYC Job Prospects Skillshare was established. This was funded by the Department of Employment, Education and Training and offered free courses and job search skills to eligible unemployed people.

 

2001 Training Prospects was opened as a division of SYC to provide training in various nationally accredited areas to young people and businesses.

 

2004 SYC opened a youth agency site at Woodville in partnership with the City of Charles Sturt.

 

2005 SYC opened a site in Elizabeth East and commenced Step into Learning which is now known as Flexible Learning Options (FLO) and is extremely successful in supporting students to get back into mainstream school or to get on the pathway to training and employment.

 

2007 SYC created HYPA (helping young people achieve) to help organisations become employers of choice for young people.

 

 

History