2020-2021 IMPACT REPORT
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In 2020-21 the YFS Board and executive led development of some key strategic blueprints for the organisation’s future. The Board endorsed the YFS Theory of Change which outlines how we contribute to long-lasting positive change in the lives of vulnerable people.
The Board developed a Strategic Framework for the next three years, outlining directions for the organisation, including a focus on the culture, partnerships, infrastructure and investment that will be needed to apply the Theory of Change and increase sustainability of our impacts.
Reflecting YFS’ increased focus on innovation and influence, the organisation adopted a new value: Courage, committing us to challenge ourselves and others to create change. Courage complements our existing values of excellence, integrity, optimism and steadfastness.
The Board’s investment in the Thriving Families demonstration project came to fruition, with a well-received evaluation report documenting significant insights for policy makers, funders and service providers. YFS will build on this project through expanded integration efforts in the coming year.
The Board welcomed Helen Sharpley in September 2020, bringing a wealth of public, private and not-for-profit sector leadership experience.
Throughout the year Board members took on additional responsibilities including:
- the Social Enterprise Working Group supporting Substation33
- the Property Working Group undertaking planning for YFS’ assets
- a sub-committee developing the Strategic Framework
- a Communications and Engagement working group
- the Risk and Audit Committee continuing to improve our ICT, financial sustainability and workplace health and safety systems
- a marketing working group that contributed to improving donations to YFS.
Board Chair Peter Goldsworthy will leave the Board in late 2021 after contributing wisdom, business acumen and strategic insights to our organisation for the past three and a half years.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK 2021-2024
Backing vulnerable people to overcome adversity and to thrive
SERVICE IMPROVEMENT
Increase our impact by pursuing:
- service integration
- research and innovation
ADVOCACY AND INFLUENCE
Build a fairer, more supportive community through:
- collaboration
- advocacy
SERVICE EXPANSION
Develop and share innovations and expertise through:
- developing our
intellectual property - pursuing new ways to share our specialist knowledge
THROUGH…
Culture
Engage and equip our staff and managers to drive long-term change and deliver excellent services
Partnerships
Work with others to provide effective responses that address issues for individuals, our community and our sector
Infrastructure
Ensure our facilities, systems and equipment enable us to work effectively and efficiently
Investment
Increase our capacity to resource innovation and ongoing improvement
Backing vulnerable people to overcome adversity and to thrive
Back First Nations people and communities to achieve their aspirations
Changing our approach with First Nations peoples and communities
The Board was delighted to launch YFS’ First Nations Cultural Framework in November 2020. The framework sets out our commitment to First Nations peoples and guides how we will continue to work towards improvements as a community member, an employer and a service provider. As part of the launch, everyone at YFS has signed a pledge to uphold the framework as an everyday part of our work.
As a community member, YFS develops shared capacity with First Nations groups, Elders, Traditional Owners and organisations in responding to community needs. As an employer, we provide an environment where First Nations peoples feel secure in seeking employment and developing their careers. As a service provider, we provide an environment where First Nations peoples feel safe to access our services and resources.
YFS has a long history of working with and empowering First Nations peoples. The Cultural Framework was created by our First Nations staff. It builds on our Reconciliation Action Plan and sets out our continuing commitment, the actions we will take, and how we will assess our progress over time.
Still changing the system
YFS has been changing lives in the Logan community since 1983. One of our founders, Mick Devlin spoke at a YFS staff meeting in 2021, explaining that information and support made the difference for most families. And we’re still doing that today.
Mick said that when the organisation first started there were no youth or family organisations in Logan. There were a lot of impediments to families in Logan supporting their young people and parents were pretty demoralised.
However, there was a great deal of enthusiasm to come up with better solutions. The organisation worked closely with local people and partnership was a big part of that period, as it is today.
They were using a community development model, bringing people together and trying to get them to describe what the issues were and what it was they wanted to resolve those issues. A key was helping people to describe their circumstances and understand the situation they were in and how things could be different.
They were using a community development model, bringing people together and trying to get them to describe what the issues were and what it was they wanted to resolve those issues. A key was helping people to describe their circumstances and understand the situation they were in and how things could be different.
Watch this interview with Mick Devlin talking about how YFS started.
“We didn't have a name for it, but we were aware that people responded as soon as you gave them the space to talk about their lives, they were able to come up with solutions. It wasn't about us finding solutions for them. It was about creating space for them to develop their own responses.”
- YFS co-founder Mick Devlin
“Our Theory of Change recognises that we need to work together within YFS and also in partnership beyond our organisation to achieve lasting change.”