Welcome!
The Redcliffe Area Youth Space (aka RAYS or just "the Youth Space") is a not-for-profit community organisation. We're a dynamic, inclusive, friendly, slightly crazy youth service that works with marginalised, disadvantaged and at risk young people aged 10 to 24.
The Youth Space provides confidential support and referrals, drop-in from 2:30 to 4:30 daily, a crime prevention program, education and training programs, Youth Work Support from 8:30 to 5, fun activities and positive youth culture events.
If you're between the ages of 10 and 24 you're welcome to come on in and say hi! Just show some respect, don't bring any alcohol or drugs to the Space, and don't hurt anyone or start any fights and everything will be just fine!
We don't have many rules, but the ones we do have are pretty simple and very fair. They're based on common sense and respect. We're a Youth Centre and that means we are often dealing with young people who are having a rough time. Our priority is around making this a safe space that everyone can enjoy. We'll only ever call the Police if we have to, and those reasons are all listed below. But first, take a look at our rules...
- No Violence (that includes threats)
- No alcohol or drugs (we don't care if a bottle is opened or unopened, drugs and alcohol are NOT on)
- No Racism, Sexism or Homophobic remarks
- No vandelising the building or stealing stuff
- Treat EVERYBODY with respect!
We'll only ever call the Police or Child Safety if we have to. If we're going to call the Police we'll always tell you first to give you a chance to comply with our request to stop what you're doing and leave. If we need to call Child Safety because you are in danger of getting hurt, we'll discuss it with you first unless you report something really serious and we have to take action right away to keep you safe. Here are the reasons we'll contact authorities:
- You seriously threaten to harm someone
- You seriously threaten to harm yourself
- You assault somebody on site
- You disclose a serious intention to commit a crime
- You report to us that you are being harmed by someone
- You vandelise our building or steal something
- You bring drugs or alcohol to the building and refuse to move on
- You engage in a drug deal on site, in our grounds, or at the skatepark.
See, all perfectly reasonable.
Why do we have such a hard stance on violence, racism, alcohol and drugs? Because each of those things destroy lives.
Consider this...
* NO one benefits from an act of violence. It might feel like a good idea when you're revved up and angry but someone is going to get hurt and no one wants that.
* Racism makes no sense whatsoever. So what if we have different colour skin or different cultural backgrounds? We're all part of the exact same human family.
* Alcohol... there are pubs to drink it in, go there. If you're too young to get into a pub you're too young to be drinking alcohol full stop. Plus, drinking in public is an offense in Queensland and the Youth Space is an unlicensed public space that works with children and young people.
* Drugs... hmmm... we really REALLY don't like drugs. It's simple - they ruin families, destroy young lives and fund criminal activities that make communities unsafe. If you saw what we see EVERY day of our working lives, you'd dislike drugs as much as we do!
If you have issues with violence or racism or drugs or alcohol, we can help you. There are amazing resources available in Queensland to help and we're linked in with most of them so talk to us about it and we will do everything in our power to help you. The Youth Space is about changing lives for the better, and it would be a huge honour for us to support you to overcome any issue you have that's stuffing around with your life.
If you can respect our rules and our outlook on life, we look forward to seeing you!
