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Amy: Strategic steps to safety

Amy was very isolated when YFS’ SHINE team reached out to her eighteen months ago after a referral from Child…

Story

Cheryl: Opening new doors

After months of couch surfing and motel stays, Cheryl found stability through a YFS Ellen Whitty tenancy — which gave…
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40 Years of listening, acting, changing lives

For over 40 years, YFS has backed people in Logan, Scenic Rim and surrounds to overcome adversity and thrive.

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Homelessness and housing

Family services

Domestic and family violence

Youth services

Financial wellbeing

Employment services

Legal services

Social enterprise

Cameron Thayer: Leading with lived experience

At fifteen, Cameron faced homelessness before YFS youth workers helped him secure housing and stay in school — support that inspired him to study psychology and eventually become CEO of Karakan, a Logan mental health service provider.

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Casey: Finding financial freedom

Casey’s financial journey has been shaped by relentless challenges. Her debt wasn’t simply the result of poor spending habits – it was a series of life pressures that led to financial hardship.

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Cath Bartolo: Like a family…a very big family.

Cath Bartolo dedicated 34 years to YFS, including 22 as CEO, helping grow the organisation through innovation, strong partnerships, and a steadfast commitment to the Logan community. Her leadership left a lasting legacy of positive change for clients, staff, and the wider community.

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Sarah: Enough is enough

Ten years ago, when YFS first opened its domestic and family violence (DFV) service in the Scenic Rim, DFV Client…

Jayde: From opportunity to independence

Jayde embraced every opportunity at Substation33, building confidence, independence and valuable skills. Her determination and positive influence have helped shape…

Cian: Driven to succeed

Driven by determination and a strong work ethic, Cian has built confidence, meaningful relationships and clear career goals. Through opportunities…

Bobbie-Joe: A path to stability

At Substation33, Bobbie-Joe has transformed challenges into opportunities, building new skills, confidence and purpose.

Kila: Sparking a future of opportunity

While looking for new work opportunities, Kila first connected with YFS’ Spark program. At the time, restrictions on his visa…

Kaan: Keeping a roof over their heads

YFS’ Mobile Support team helped Kaan with more than just finding a rental. They continued supporting him as he adjusted…

Eileen: Celebrating 100 years!

This year, Slacks Creek Community Housing Initiative resident Eileen, celebrated her 100th birthday with a beautiful event that included a…

Nathan: Restoring financial stability

Nathan* self-referred to YFS in October with an energy debt of around $40,000 while navigating significant financial hardship and ongoing…

Alexis: Rebuilding confidence

Alexis was referred to YFS’ Youthlink program by Child and Youth Mental Health Services (CYMHS) during a time when she…

Joy: Learning together: integration in practice

In April, YFS hosted Joy Bowen-Eyre, the CEO of The Alex Community Health Centre, Canada, for a day of conversations…

Christopher John: Here for Logan – YFS’ commitment to its community

YFS CEO Christopher John is focused on helping Logan residents withstand the cost-of-living and housing affordability crisis, advocating for more…

Casey: Finding financial freedom

Casey’s financial journey has been shaped by relentless challenges. Her debt wasn’t simply the result of poor spending habits –…

Logan Elders: Relationships built on deep listening

YFS’ decades-long partnership with Logan’s First Nations community began with Marlene Moore, a Wakka Wakka woman who helped embed the…

Misiafa Fitisemanu: A people first approach

Misiafa Fitisemanu is a Senior Mentor with YFS’ Parent Pathways program, providing personalised assistance, guidance and financial support to parents…

Shane Dillion: Delivering dignity through empathy

Shane Dillon spent five and a half years at YFS, where he helped shift disability support culture from sympathy-based to…

Tarina: Connected in community

After years of sleeping rough in Logan, Tarina found stability through YFS’ persistent, respectful Outreach support and secured housing with…

Tony Sharp: Building pathways to sustainability

Tony Sharp founded Substation33 in 2012, after starting as a YFS youth social worker and recognising a lack of practical…

Lillian: A new chapter

Lillian met her YFS Youth Development coaches after being referred to Youthlink in August 2023 by the Child and Youth…

Melanie Evans: Maintaining the essence of YFS

Melanie Evans has spent almost 17 years at YFS, growing from a “jack of all trades” role into specialised work…

Tammy: Steadfast support

For twenty years, YFS has supported Tammy and her family through addiction recovery, homelessness and domestic violence — and later…

Sue Lannen: Bringing people together

Sue Lannen, YFS’ first Board President, spent a decade volunteering and using her negotiation skills as a union organiser to…

Aimee McVeigh: Collaborations creating change

Aimee McVeigh, CEO of QCOSS, describes YFS as a longstanding, highly engaged member that has stood shoulder-to-shoulder on statewide campaigns…

Simon Schmidtke: Joy in innovation

Simon Schmidtke, Lead Innovator at YFS’s social enterprise Substation33, has spent almost a decade turning e-waste into impactful projects like…

Becky: Power of persistence

Becky started at YFS in reception nine years ago and worked her way through crisis response and housing roles to…

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