At The Family Co., we believe that when we invest in young people, we’re investing in the future of our entire community. Supporting youth isn’t just a moment - it’s a movement. And through Targeted Early Intervention Programs (TEI), we can walk alongside young people as they step into their potential with confidence and support.

We’ve recently wrapped up the final session of our workshop series with TAFE NSW, delivered through the NSW Government Youth Opportunities Grant. Across six sessions, young people explored practical skills in Cooking, Hairdressing, and Beauty, while also gaining firsthand experience of what studying at TAFE NSW is really like.

The outcomes speak for themselves. Studies show that individuals with non-school qualifications, such as those offered by TAFE NSW, have a 79% employment rate- compared to just 58% for those without. But the benefits go far beyond employment. These workshops created opportunities for independence, built confidence, fostered belonging, and connected participants with ongoing support services.

One young person shared, “I didn’t think I’d enjoy it at first, but I actually felt like I belonged somewhere. Now I want to go to TAFE and learn more.” Another said, “It gave me hope that I could actually get a job doing something I like.”

Our Youth Caseworkers noticed powerful shifts too. “You could see the change by the end of the session; how they spoke, how they interacted with each other. For some of these young people, it was the first time they felt seen and encouraged.”

This is what targeted early intervention looks like in action, meeting young people where they are and showing them what’s possible.

(Photos from our most recent TAFE NSW cooking workshop for youth)

And the support doesn’t end there. Every month during the school term, we also host Social Space - a relaxed, youth-led drop-in evening designed to help young people connect, recharge, and feel supported. These sessions offer a consistent touchpoint for building community and resilience, and often provide the grounding that helps young people feel ready to take on opportunities like the TAFE workshops.

We are deeply grateful to TAFE NSW for their commitment to creating accessible pathways to education and opportunity, and to our passionate Youth Team for delivering ongoing, wraparound support through initiatives like Social Space.

Because when we invest in youth, we’re building stronger individuals, and a stronger future for us all.

Our next Social Space dates for Term 2, 2025: 

• Thursday 29th May
• Thursday 26th June