ICYS Ipswich Community Youth Service needs your help to support young people

BRISBANE, Australia - June 11, 2014 - PRLog -- Ipswich, 6 June 2014

ICYS Ipswich Community Youth Service has been running a highly popular social group for young people with intellectual disabilities.Aimed at young people who don’t quite meet the threshold to receive government self-directed disability funding, this group provides participants with a safe and fun environment where they can create cool and quirky crafts and build upon friendships and social skills.


“My child has grown in many ways due to the wonderful work [the program] has given. She now leaves me with no trouble and is able to do things for [herself], e.g. catch a bus on her own. All because of the confidence… gained from this [program]” – Mother of program participant after witnessing the positive change in her daughter’s life.

Sadly this group no longer receives government funding and while the young people who attend have offered up their pocket money we need your help to keep the group up and running.

“…my child will dearly miss the friendly faces and new friends that she has made… I hope the new confidence and enthusiasm will not fade with time as the changes have been so beneficial. Thank you so much for your support and generosity.” – Parent of program participant after learning the program was being discontinued due to government funding cuts.

Having seen the impact this program has had on program participants and how essential such services within the community are, ICYS committed to utilising their own funds to continue running the group in 2013 after government funding ceased in 2012. Due to the current funding climate ICYS cannot continue to deliver this much needed service without your support. ICYS will be running a campaign via crowd funding platform chuffed.org for the next 90 days in an effort to re-launch this immensely valuable program.

All funds raised from this campaign will go towards:

Purchasing activity and craft materials
Providing tasty snacks to keep up energy levels
Employing qualified workers to develop and supervise activities

To donate, head to www. icys. org.au or contact ICYS on 07 3812 1050.

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About ICYS

ICYS Ipswich Community Youth Service is a not-for-profit community based organisation providing assistance and support to at-risk young people, their families and their communities in the Ipswich and surrounding regions since 1983. As a multi-service organisation, ICYS provides a range of support programs and activities to assist and empower young people to make positive choices and decisions for their future.

Each year ICYS provides direct services to approximately 6,000 young people across Ipswich and the surrounding Lockyer Valley, Somerset and Scenic Rim areas.