About us

Our National Model of Care

For over 40 years, The Salvation Army Youth Services have been supporting young people across Australia.

We provide a range of services that support young people to secure safe and stable housing, engage in alcohol and other drug recovery, reconnect with school, explore further training and employment opportunities, become safe drivers and navigate justice systems all whilst promoting positive community connections.

To help us achieve our goal of supporting every young person to reach their full potential, we have developed our National Model of Care, Journey to Independence.

Journey to Independence is underpinned by both Psychologically Informed Environments (PIE) and Trauma Informed Care (TIC). Both approaches resolve to improve the psychological, social, physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of children, young people and their families.

Working collaboratively with partner services, we value the dynamic networks that support sustainable outcomes for young people. We commit to actively working alongside young people, and their identified support systems, on their journey to independence.

Who was Tom Quinn?

Tom Quinn dedicated his life to helping other people. In 2000, he floated the idea of restoring a derelict waste management building and transforming it into a centre for young people and in 2002, the Tom Quinn Community Centre was launched. Tom's plan blossomed well beyond what he first envisioned; the original building was restored and a range of employment and education programs began being offered to young people and community members.

Tom passed away in 2006, but his legacy lives on through the Centre which was named in his honour. We aspire to bring Tom’s vision and dreams to life by continuing to build on the amazing opportunities he set in motion for young people in the Bundaberg area.