About Us

Our History

Youth Insearch was established in 1985 by a dedicated Youth Development Counsellor at the Riverstone Community Neighbourhood Centre in North West Sydney. Recognising that traditional individual counselling methods were slow and had limited impact on the broader community, he sought input directly from the young people he was supporting. Together, they developed a comprehensive program that would empower youth to find solutions that resonated with their experiences.

By 1987, the results of the Youth Insearch program in Riverstone were remarkable. The initiative led to a significant decline in youth crime, with incidents of risk taking behaviours, alcohol and drug misuse diminishing dramatically—so much so that half of the operations at the Riverstone Police Station were closed down. This success garnered national media attention and paved the way for the rapid expansion of Youth Insearch across Australia.

Today, we continue to build on this legacy, reaching out to at-risk youth throughout the country and providing them with the support, guidance, and tools they need to change their lives for the better. Your support is crucial in helping us expand our reach and deepen our impact, ensuring that more young people have access to the transformative experiences that Youth Insearch offers.