Youth in service

It may be something that we don't notice, or choose not to notice, but young people in Ku-ring-gai face drug abuse, homelessness, family dysfunction, bullying and child abuse every day. However, with the impending opening of the Ku-ring-gai Youth Development Service (KYDS), a Lindfield-based facility providing counselling for 'at risk youths', these problems will no longer continue in silence.

KYDS was an idea born five years ago by Lindfield Rotary Club. After initial opposition from community groups and difficulties with council planning, the service is finally set to open its doors.

KYDS coordinator and counsellor Jane Davidson explains that the service "aims to provide a youth and family specific, free and confidential early intervention support and counselling service", which will involve counselling, group work and a mentoring program.

The emphasis of the KYDS programme is prevention and early intervention. Young people who may get themselves into trouble will have the opportunity to talk to a counsellor, either privately or with their parents, to deal with the problems they are facing. Ranging from family issues to drug abuse, KYDS will help young people in the area help themselves.

Vice-President Ian Calder stresses the fact that KYDS will not be a 'drop in' centre, claiming that those opposing the facility have the wrong impression about the service. "There won't be graffiti and beer cans and needles lying around the place," he says.

The service is more of a preventative measure, aiming services towards 'at risk' young people, which Davidson describes as "any person in danger of being involved in risk-taking behaviour that may lead to unhealthy circumstances, both physically and emotionally."

KYDS is closely following the blueprint of The Shack, a similar service in Epping on which it is based. Youth development officer at The Shack, Jackie Pettit, confirms that services like theirs have a positive community effect.

The Shack has been running for 13 years and Pettit claims, "statistically, there have been significant reductions in youth crime rates in the area."

There are hopes the service will open this month, when it does it will be open to anyone. Davidson believes KYDS is  "about promoting change and bringing about good things for young people, no matter what their background, race, religion or sexuality."

You can find KYDS at the back of Lindfield Library. It will be open between 10am and 6pm on weekdays.