It started with a group of ordinary people in Joondalup who saw young people doing it tough and chose to act. In 1988, they opened TINOCA, the first short-term accommodation service for young people experiencing homelessness in Perth’s north. From that single act of compassion, something remarkable began to grow.
They quickly learned that a place to stay was only the beginning. Young people needed education, employment pathways, wellbeing support, and most importantly, someone who genuinely believed in them. So they kept listening, kept building, and kept showing up.
Over forty years later, that commitment hasn’t changed. Youth Futures has grown into one of Western Australia’s leading youth support organisations, delivering programs across homelessness and accommodation, education and training, emergency relief, settlement support, and community connection. From our community schools in Albany, Clarkson, and Midland to our Anchor Points, Comet Connect program, The Nest, and beyond, every service we’ve added has come directly from listening to what young people actually need.
In 2025, we marked forty years of brighter futures, a milestone that brought together supporters, partners, donors, and young people to reflect on how far we’ve come and how much further we’re determined to go. Because the need has never been greater. Young people aged 12 to 25 make up nearly a quarter of Australia’s homeless population, and demand for our services continues to grow every year.
