A space where young people can grow — and then give back.
Youth Connect is designed to develop approximately 15 young people through leadership, mentorship, social connection and exposure to opportunities beyond their immediate environment.
Our long-term vision is to give these young leaders a safe, practical base in the community it will be a dedicated Youth Connect Community Hub where they can meet, learn, plan and lead.
The facility would provide space for leadership workshops, mentoring, study support, skills development and small group activities. Importantly, it would also give Youth Connect participants the opportunity to become role models for younger children by helping facilitate art activities, holiday programmes, reading, homework support, environmental projects and other community workshops.
This creates a simple cycle of development:
Support young people → develop leaders → give them a place to lead → enable them to support the next generation.
OCF already runs activities that can connect directly into this model. Our therapeutic arts programme currently works with children at Westlake Primary, while holiday programmes and community collaborations provide creative, educational and developmental experiences for younger children. The heART programme itself is built around facilitated creative activities and can expand to additional community groups when resources and facilities allow.
The Community Hub would therefore become more than a building. It would be a safe space for opportunity, leadership and community ownership — helping young people move from being programme participants to becoming mentors, facilitators and future community leaders.
Help us build the Youth Connect Community Hub
Partner with OCF to create a safe, flexible community facility where young people can develop leadership skills, access opportunities and run workshops that inspire and support younger children.