Putting Young People's Voices First

Mar 29, 2017

In line with our second strategic focus area, ‘Building a Youth Focussed Organisation’, Whitelion has launched the Young Lions Ambassadors and Advocacy Program (YAAP) in Melbourne. An amazing 37 young people expressed interest in joining the new program! YAAP is a determined step towards greater youth participation at Whitelion.  We will be looking to this group of young leaders to tell us what areas of social policy – homelessness, education, youth justice, out-of-home care, etc. - they would like to advocate on, and how we can improve Whitelion’s public response, and services, accordingly.
 
Speaking of advocacy, many of you would be aware of the rapidly changing youth justice environment in Victoria.  Whitelion is working on an advocacy position to provide a cohesive response, based on our strong belief in a dual track youth justice system, keeping young people out of adult correction centres, and the importance of meaningful relationships in addressing criminogenic risk factors.