Organisational History

Since 1978

In 1978, Father Pat Tynan, Holy Rosary Church, Windsor, became aware of the growing need in the inner city area for suitable accommodation for homeless youth. Up to this point young people were forced to access the adult shelters that were seen as unsafe alternatives. In November 1978, Father Tynan recruited Peter and Gay Clements to assume the task of organising the initiative of developing a refuge specifically for youth.

Peter gathered a group of people from various fields and agencies with the idea of forming a community based organisation that was independent of religious, political or social agendas.

The inaugural public meeting was held on Monday 11, December 1978, where a motion was carried to provide emergency accommodation, meals and support for homeless youth. A suitable house was found and opened for business on Sunday 18, February 1979. The house that was finally rented was situated at 239 Lutwyche Road, Windsor. The house was in generally poor condition. It had 3 bedrooms, an enclosed veranda, a kitchen, lounge room and bathroom.

For the first 11 months, the shelter, then called Youth Emergency Shelter, had no government funding whatsoever. It was completely dependent on the public and other community groups for donations, rent, food, and was staffed staffed solely by volunteers.

By early 1981, there were no fewer than 27 community organisations providing aid for YES though there were fraternal organisations like Rotary, Apex, Lions Club and other professional-based organisations, most of the support was coming from Catholic, Anglican and Uniting Churches.

The Christian Brothers province in Queensland had considerable involvement in the early years. Brother Dan Courtney, Christian Brother’s province in Queensland, was a member of the Management Committee from around 1980 to 1982. Brother Dan was instrumental in the church decision to provide the monies to purchase 25 Thorne Street, Windsor in 1981.

Initially the shelter was open from 6:00pm to 8:00am each day, and was staffed overnight by a voluntary duty officer and an assistant. By the end of 1980 a full-time Coordinator and Project Officer had been employed, and in 1981 the shelter was opened 24 hours a day. Meals were provided by a roster of volunteers but as full-time staff numbers increased, volunteer requirements declined.

The shelter had always provided emergency accommodation, but from the beginning, the Management Committee was concerned about the problem of youth who were unable to take care of themselves long-term in the community, or who were chronically homeless. The demand for acute emergency accommodation was so high that the organisation was stretched and unable to meet this need. A continued interest in this area resulted in YES opening a second house in 1986.

“The House”, now called Sandgate House, provides a structured learning environment giving young people an opportunity to gain the necessary life skills to succeed both as an active citizen in the community, and in future accommodation. Sandgate House is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

In June of 1986 the Housing Commission offered YES one of their demolition blockhouses until such time as it was to be demolished. This house at Everton Park was used as a detached house for 3 young people to live independently with regular supervision by the Windsor Shelter staff and volunteers. In 1992, the Department of Housing and Local Planning offered YES a house at Nundah to replace the Everton Park property, Nundah House was created. Today Nundah House offers accommodation for up to 3 young people within a semi-independent environment.

For information on our current programs see the Programs section of this website.