The co-location model aims to enhance the cumulative capacity for agencies, groups and clubs to work collaboratively to provide opportunities for young people. 

Mission Statement:

To offer young people the opportunity to reach their potential through empowerment within a safe environment.

Vision Statement:

To continue to provide a safe place for young people to make informed decisions about their roles in life.  We offer young people a range of community-based programs, activities and services in a positive and non-judgmental environment, which adhere to the values of respect, dignity and privacy.

Education and Training

Mandurah Youth Community Inc. brings together the key stakeholders in education, training and employment within the Peel region.  Their purpose is to facilitate the development of projects that help young people make the transition from school into the workforce.

Young people have acknowledged the Billy Dower Youth Centre as a safe, comfortable, accessible and familiar place.  This is reflected by the Department for Education Training’s choice to deliver Year 10, 11 and 12 equivalency programs from on location including:

Challenger TAFE

• Certificate In General Education - Youth
• Indigenous School Based Traineeship- Cert I Workplace Readiness

Mandurah Senior College

• Bilyidar Cultural Awareness and Leadership Program - Year 11  www.bilyidar.com

Halls Head, Coodanup and Mandurah High

• Skills Success

Students enrolled in alternative education programs are supported by the cross section of co-located agencies that are on site the assist as required.

Health

The Haven Youth Health service provides a confidential health service for young people including GP, community health nurse, child health nurse and Indigenous diabetes clinic.

Youth on Health is an events management organisations that provides and annual youth festival once a year that attracts young people to Mandurah from across the state.  The YoH Fest promotes a different health message each year and is completely administered, organised and delivered by a team of young people.  

Leisure and Lifestyle Programs

The City of Mandurah’s Billy Dower Youth Centre team are there to help the community to provide activities, programs and events for young people:

• Peel Adventure Gaming Society (Warhammer, Role Playing, Magic the Gathering and other Table Top Strategy Games)
• Town TV (Film and Video Production)
• The Dower (After school activity program)
• School Holiday Program
• Baby Sitting Program
• Billy Dower Boxing Club

Policing and Youth Crime Prevention

Street Net Youth Outreach Service provides support, referral, counselling and advocacy for young people.  Two police officers, accompanied by a qualified youth worker, prevent youth crime by increasing their involvement in the community.

The City of Mandurah provides a safe place on Thursdays and Fridays after school that young people may catch up with their friends, listen to music, play pool, the X box, basketball, football or access the internet.  This an alternative option to hanging out in shopping centres and other unsupervised public spaces. It free and young people may come and go at their leisure.  The youth officers on duty offer semi-structured activities that encourage the young people to form trusting friendships and bond as a community.   

Personal Development, Mental Health and Child Protection

The Peel Youth Counselling Services provides a free service to young people and may be accessed through Peel Youth Program.  They are also available to support youth workers in the Peel region who are working with the complex needs of young people in ‘at risk’ situations. 

Peel Youth Programme Inc. consists of a team of qualified youth workers who offer one on one support to young people.  They will listen, provide accurate information, advocate and can refer to specialist services and programs as required.

Youth Focus employs a full time counselor, based at the Billy Dower Youth Centre, who specialise in therapy for young people suffering with depression or are at risk of self harm or suicide.

Local Governance

The City of Mandurah is the project manager of the co-location model and is responsible for the upkeep of the facility along with all co-locator licensing and hire of facilities on a casual basis.

On the first Wednesday of every month at 1:30 pm the co-locators meet to discuss any relevant matters.  The regular agenda consist of guest speakers, project updates, partnerships, funding opportunities, OS&H matters and building maintenance.

Young people are provided the opportunity to influence the decision making on policy and issues that affect them through a variety of mediums.  The Billy Dower Youth Centre has close links with the City of Mandurah Youth Development Officer and sits within the Community Development Section.  Here projects such as the Youth in Governance, Junior Council, Youth Surveys and Youth Forum Consultations provide young people with a variety of options to influence the decisions that affect their lives.