Who we are
We are a space for opportunity
Programs
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Our Purpose
The Youth Junction Inc. stands at the vital intersection where multiple paths converge. Where youth potential meets community pride. We create the essential connections that transform young lives and strengthen communities across Melbourne’s west.
Our vision is to be recognised as a Centre of Excellence in youth services, building resilience, confidence, and positive change through personalised support that empowers young people to thrive as valued community contributors.
Our Values
Empowering – We support young people to take the lead, recognising them as the experts in their own lives and empowering them to unlock their full potential.
Welcoming – We create safe, inclusive spaces where young people and collaborative partners can access services tailored to their unique needs and aspirations.
Evidence Informed – Every engagement offers an opportunity for growth, guided by youth wisdom and evidence-based practices that deliver measurable, positive outcomes.
Our Locations
We are open Monday to Friday, 9AM till 5PM at the Visy Cares Hub in Sunshine either by appointment or drop in to talk, our doors are open!
The Visy Cares Hub based in Sunshine is a co-located ‘one-stop-shop’ of youth services under one roof.
We adopt a ‘no wrong door’ approach to enable young people to access services at the hub by dropping in at our friendly reception, calling us on 03 9091 8200 or sending us a message through social media or email info@youthjunctioninc.net.au
You may have been referred to one of our programs including:
- Y.U.P – Youth Umbrella Project
- Reconnect – Education and Employment Support
- Sharp Choices – Designed to reduce youth weapon possession
Case Managers are here to welcome you and make you feel comfortable to receive the support required.
The Broadmeadows office is located at Youth Central. This office is by appointment only.
Our History
1996
This building is the last surviving factory on one of the most important industrial sites in Australia. It is chiefly famous as the Sunshine Harvester Works, transferred from Ballarat 1906 by Hugh Victor McKay, one of Australia’s leading manufacturers. This photo is taken at the front looking at the 2nd level glass window as the burnt roof has collapsed. Taken circa 1996.
2007
Opening the doors to the Visy Cares Hub in April 2007!
2009
2009 saw the first young person access support interventions through the Youth Community & Law Program (Y.C.L.P). This program supports young people aged between 18-25 years who have been referred directly by the magistrates court. The program has helped approx 1,000 young people since its inception and continues to support young people today!
2016
In November 2016, The Youth Junction Inc. celebrated 10 years of service and held an event to mark the occasion.
2017
Thanks to the Department of Justice and Community Safety funding the Youth Umbrella Project, we opened referrals to the crime prevention partnership project lead by The Youth Junction Inc. and involving a diverse range of partner providers. The program operates under a case management framework and focuses on early intervention and prevention of at risk and criminal activity of young people aged between 12-24 years. The program is still operating and has seen over 230 young people since 2017.
2019
The Youth Leadership Camp managed by The Youth Junction Inc. gave young people an opportunity participate in outdoor pursuits, develop skills in leadership and create pro-social friendships and skills through workshops that focused on peer influence, up-stander / not by-stander leadership, positive role modelling. The pilot program increased young peoples’ confidence, connection to their family and friends, services, Victoria Police and the broader community whilst providing a balance of pro-social recreational activities and valuable learnings’ which can be taken away and utilised in their day to day lives. The camp was a huge success and with future funding we are hoping to see more available in the near future.
2019
When COVID-19 changed how communities could connect, TYJ adapted its services to ensure young people could continue accessing support. The Visy Cares Hub became a base for essential services, while TYJ and its partners shifted to remote and restricted on-site service delivery. Young people continued to access services through the Hub remotely or by phone, demonstrating the importance of connected, place-based support even when the doors could not operate as normal.
2021
As Melbourne emerged from extended COVID-19 restrictions, TYJ worked with partners to respond to the changing needs of young people and the broader Sunshine community. The Visy Cares Hub became a community vaccination site, delivered in partnership with IPC Health and Brimbank City Council, helping make COVID-19 vaccination more accessible locally.
2021
TYJ became involved in the Empowering Communities Brimbank initiative, bringing young people, community organisations and local stakeholders together to understand the drivers of crime and disadvantage and develop local responses. Young people identified the importance of safe spaces, meaningful activities, cultural connection, employment opportunities and community pride.
2022
TYJ expanded its specialist prevention work, including the NorthWestSafe Youth Project and the Youth Behavioural Change Program. These programs provided intensive, trauma-informed support to young people experiencing complex circumstances, including justice-system involvement, family violence and other factors associated with escalating risk. Independent research partnerships with Victoria University also strengthened TYJ’s focus on evidence and evaluation.
2023
TYJ expanded its Youth Early Intervention Behavioural Change work to younger young people aged 10–17 and extended the Youth Umbrella Project into Wyndham through a partnership with Wyndham City Council.
This reflected an important shift in TYJ’s approach: intervening earlier, working across systems and reaching young people before challenges become entrenched.
2024
TYJ increased its focus on creating welcoming, accessible opportunities for young people beyond formal case management. Programs and activities such as Summer Sundown brought hundreds of young people into the Hub and surrounding Sunshine space for music, games, food and connection. More than 500 young people participated in the 2024 Summer Sundown activities.
2025
TYJ launched Sharp Choices, an evidence-informed early intervention program designed to address the complex reasons young people carry weapons and support them to make safer decisions. Developed in response to the changing challenges facing young people in Melbourne’s west, the program combines education, decision-making, legal awareness, communication and ongoing case management.
2026
TYJ continued to evolve its role from delivering individual programs to helping shape how the community responds to young people. Through partnerships and initiatives such as Target Zer0 and Safe Spaces, TYJ is contributing to a broader approach that brings young people, services and communities together to create safer, more welcoming environments and intervene earlier.
The Safe Spaces project is being co-designed with young people as a new kind of youth-friendly “third space” across Melbourne’s west.
2026
Today, the Visy Cares Hub remains at the heart of TYJ’s work. Around 25,000 young people connect with the Hub each year, including approximately 6,000 who are visiting for the first time.
With more than a dozen youth-focused organisations operating from the building, TYJ continues to develop the Hub as a place where young people can access support, opportunity, connection and a genuine sense of belonging.
