CAYLUS has worked alongside Central Australian families, community stakeholders, local and federal government since 2002.
We want young people in Central Australia to have access to everything they need so they may live a fulfilling, active, healthy and fun childhood and adolescence.
We do this by supporting youth programs in every way we possibly can.
This support has been crucial in the reduction of substance misuse, providing access to rehab, and in offering long term support to reduce the impacts of substance misuse.
Substance Misuse by young people themselves and their families lead to long term health effects as well as a range of problems for young people and their communities. You can help change this.
CAYLUS accepts financial and material donations. Your donation will be delivered to families in remote communities within a week of its arrival in Alice Springs/Mparntwe.
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The introduction (2002) and rollout of Opal/Low Aromatic Fuel.
Youth programs, essential infrastructure and maintenance.
Youth worker recruitment, traineeships, mentoring, training, resource development and equipment.
Responding to sniffing outbreaks in the region.
Responsible retail of solvents program and regular training for retail outlets.
Photo archiving, literature production, film and radio projects in local languages.
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Funds will be used to meet the needs that governments won’t fund in the region, these include:
advocacy work: taking the voice of remote community stakeholders to policy and program makers. So often, major government programs miss the mark or worse, add to the problems experienced by young people and families in remote communities. CAYLUS engages in the policy debate through submissions to inquiries, circulation of discussion papers, through commissioning independent research and through building relationships with decision makers. We place an emphasis on putting remote community stakeholders and frontline workers directly in contact with decision makers so that these people know the reality of the programs and policies that they implement.
Building youth diversion programs: CAYLUS works with partner agencies to place youth development workers in locations of high risk. While rehab, counselling and education all play a role in reducing the detrimental effects of substance misuse, CAYLUS views prevention as the key to real change. A youth diversion program during a high-risk period such as the school holidays or during a petrol sniffing outbreak can make all the difference in keeping substance misuse from escalating. Your funds will help us sponsor short-term strategic programs and work with stakeholders to source and organise long term funding.
Supporting the development of remote computer rooms: Local computer rooms increasingly play a critical role in remote communities where many people do not otherwise have access to computers and the internet. Computer rooms are popular amongst young people in the high-risk 12-25 age bracket and provide a safe supervised environment in which to engage in new and stimulating activities. Computer rooms are used by all ages for practical things such as internet banking, communicating with family in other locations and online purchase of goods that are not available in expensive local stores. Computer rooms provide access to learning, literacy, communication and skills. In a growing number of communities, school attendance is being linked to computer room access, this informs us of the value of device and internet access to young people in remote communities. Your gift will help us work with remote communities to source and install the necessary equipment, to establish internet access and where possible set the rooms up along a user pays model so that running costs can be sustained. To find out more about remote computer rooms see here.
Getting retailers to use Opal fuel: Opal Low Aromatic Fuel is not intoxicating if sniffed. It has proven a very effective tool in reducing the prevalence of sniffing in our region. Unfortunately a handful of retailers refuse to see all reason and will not stock the fuel, and in some sites this is linked to sniffing in nearby communities. Your funds will support our work with affected communities, retailers groups and federal and state governments ensuring that Opal continues to be used comprehensively in Central Australia.
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$50 will pay for a for two weeks internet costs for a remote community computer room
$100 will pay for us to reach 12000 people via social media, getting the message out to the public about Opal fuel and building pressure on retailers and government
$200 will pay for the costs of sourcing a volunteer mentor to work running a school holiday program for one week
$1000 will pay for the costs of taking a community leader to Canberra to meet with the policy makers direct
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Huge thank you to our wonderful regular donors!
Here are some of the super useful items we receive and their generous donors.
If you, your work or club has the capacity to donate material items, please contact us to discuss what families find most useful, and how to get them to us.
Every week we either visit remote communities, or, are in contact with others whom are travelling, so your donations will get to their recipients as fast as the corrugations allow us!
Regularly donate balls of all shapes and sizes for youth programs in the region. Kids LOVE them.
Donations of underwear and clothing, super practical items!
Donations of underwear and clothing, again, super practical items!
Donates heaps of running shoes!
The Shoe Guy
More shoes! Everyone loves shoes!
Donate phones monthly, essential for local youth workers and young people going to rehab.
Donate sanitary items and their wonderful essentials handbags, full of toiletries, and well, dignity!
“Nous Group recently undertook a study for the Central Australian Youth Link-Up Service (CAYLUS) on the social return on investment (SROI) of youth programs in remote central Australia. The report found that for every dollar invested in the programs, up to $4.50 in social value is created. This study forms one component of ongoing monitoring and evaluation of youth programs in remote central Australia.
The value of youth programs has not always been well understood. This report clearly demonstrates the significant value of the youth programs to participants, as well as to families, communities and the broader education, health and justice systems.”
