Creative Youth Initiative (CYI), is a unique service that provides free creative programs for young people aged 16-25 who are facing many and varied challenges in their lives, which include but are not limited to:
- Homelessness
- Mental health issues
- Substance abuse
- Family breakdown
- Unemployment
- Poor educational experiences
- Youth at risk with the law
Based in Surry Hills, near Sydney’s centre, CYI helps young people develop their creativity through visual arts and music. This, in turn, builds self-esteem, encourages self-expression and provides positive learning experiences in a safe and supportive environment. In addition, it provides young people with the opportunity to access free training programs run in partnership with TAFE as well as personalised individual support.
A Student Support Coordinator offers ongoing support and goal planning to students during their time in the program and helps them find employment or enrol in further studies upon graduation. The Student Support Coordinator can also connect young people with other services such as suitable accommodation, drug support or counsellors as needed.
CYI consists of two semester-long programs run concurrently:
Sounds of the Street (SOTS)
SOTS is a 20-week TAFE accredited music course that teaches students to compose, perform and record their own music. They also have the opportunity to learn an instrument. The students’ music is professionally mixed and mastered with students performing their compositions at the annual album launch.
Artworks!
Artworks! is a twelve-month visual arts program that provides materials, skilled one-on-one and group tuition, and a safe place to explore creativity. Students explore and experiment with various mediums including painting, sketching, sculpture, life drawing, spray art and graphic design. Works are exhibited in an annual art exhibition and students can receive commissions from public and corporate entities.
Who we assist
We assist young people, aged 16-25 years who are facing many and varied challenges in their lives, such as homelessness, mental health issues, substance abuse, family breakdown, unemployment & disengagement from education.
Eligibility criteria
We assist young people who are at risk of disengaging from themselves and society, aged between 16-25 , interested in art/music, managing or willing to work with the Student Support Co-ordinator to manage issues affecting their wellbeing such as mental health, AOD, family breakdown, behaviour etc.
Referral process
Creative Youth Initiative can be accessed by self referrals or can be referrals by other agencies by contacting the service by phone, in person or via email.
Creative Youth Initiative (CYI) - Mission Australia Centre (MAC) location
Contact us
- Address
- 19 Denham Street Surry Hills NSW 2010
- Phone number
- 0293560600
- This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
- Fax
- 0293568458
Opening hours
9-5 Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Services nearby
- Charles Chambers Court - Aged Care (CCC) Aged Care Surry Hills, NSW Less than 1 km away
- The Shopfront Youth Legal Centre Justice & Corrections Darlinghurst, NSW 1 km away
- Mission Australia Housing - Victoria Housing Sydney, NSW 1 km away
- Mission Australia Housing - Camperdown Housing Sydney, NSW 1 km away
- Inner City Sydney Homelessness Service - Youth Homelessness Kings Cross, NSW 1 km away