Youth
Outreach and Youth Work is another arm of Launceston City Mission’s street work and in October 2010 the Mission decided to set apart the Youth Outreach Services and employ a manager to oversee the development of this service in and around Launceston and the North West Coast. Scott Waterhouse moved into youth work in 1995, had a stint doing podiatry as an assistant and eventually became a Youth Pastor and Senior Pastor of a Coastal church. He continued pastoring two churches at Sheffield and Ulverstone and eventually moved sideways, joining our City Mission Team at Sulphur Creek for 2 years before being asked to oversee our Youth Outreach services. Along with our dedicated teams of volunteers, they now cover the North West Coast, travelling into Burnie and extending into East Devonport areas.
Youth on Paterson, or better known as YOP, came on board in December 2010. YOP continues to service the community well. Youth are supported through program participation or as part of an intensive case management approach to meet individual’s needs.
The full time Youth Worker, Tim, and his team of workers, all work closely with the Justice and Education Department, and with the programs developed, help many young people into the community or to continue schooling. YOP with the assistance of the youth doing their programs have, conducted music classes, built numerous pushbikes, through a community program involving Tasmania Police, designed and painted murals on prominent building around the Launceston area, conducted gym classes together and discovered many more amazing things. For instance, the YOP music program is there for Young People to learn how 
to play various instruments, write songs, and learn some recording skills. The "Two Hands" coffee cart, an initiative of Launceston City Council in conjunction with YOP and Ritual Coffee gives youth an opportunity to learn new skills in hospitality and offers a two week work placement on completion of the baristas course. Some young people have moved into paid employment after completing the course. All this helps the young person to develop team work skills and self-esteem.
Northern Outreach Trailer - Our Youth worker and teams of volunteers take the Outreach Trailer into the suburbs of Launceston throughout the week, supporting and building community connections through friendships and community involv
ement. Time is spent each day building bridges into young people’s lives that are facing daily challenges and issues. The connections made between the Youth worker, the volunteers and the local communities are valuable and help in assisting to build better communities.
Mentoring - A mentoring program is conducted by our Youth worker. It is a one on one mentoring program that helps young people discover their purpose in life, defines and unpacks their goals, and helps them to discover their God given dreams. "Character First" plays a big role in this program.
Northwest Outreach Trailer - ‘Kommunity Kids’ - Shorewell Burnie comes alive every Wednesday afternoon from 3.30 till 5.00 p.m. as CIty Mission workers, a policeman and other volunteers commit their Wednesdays to building into the lives of many of our young
people and their families that live in the area. Our Outreach Trailer provides a barbeque most days while after school activities such as bike riding and ball games are arranged. ‘Kommunity Kids’ has grown in popularity and now has its own face book page. Check them out at "Kommunity Kids.
Further outreach developments being currently planned are:
- New Outreach in East Devonport area.
- New Youth Outreach Services premises in Burnie area.
These will be two new exciting ventures that will assist in building stronger communities and strengthening youth work in the local areas of Burnie and Devonport.
Star House - Is a four bedroom house in suburban Launceston, owned and operated by the City Mission to accommodate a need for young people wanting a fresh start in life. The home is supervised by full time caretakers who provide a caring and healthy family environment.
Star House offers supportive accommodation for up to three young people between the ages of twelve and seventeen. It provides a friendly home environment resulting in a stable backdrop for change. Residents work alongside a City Mission mentor who offers help and support in formulating future directions, guidance with training and employment, personal wellbeing, finance and relationship skills to maximise their chances of developing positive habits for a brighter future.
Staff work closely with Child and Family Services, Youth Justice and other agencies to assist residents to identify and develop positive life skills and individual goals.
Download the City Mission Star House brochure for more details.