The Byron Community and Cultural Centre has played a major community development function in the Byron shire, setting up and supporting many community organisations and human services in Byron Bay.

Australia Indonesia Arts Alliance

The Australia Indonesia Arts Alliance is concerned with developing cultural relationships between Australia and Indonesia and is one of the many community groups auspiced by the Byron Community and Cultural Centre. AIAA received a grant for its Indonesia radio show from the Community Relations Commission. The show is broadcast on local community radio station, Bay FM. To find out more visit AIAA Website: www.aiaa.org.au

Adult Community Education (ACE)

The Byron Community and Cultural Centre was instrumental in the formation of ACE in 1983 and the two organisations have worked closely together ever since. ACE’s home base is in Mullumbimby, but it also has an office at the Centre. It offers around 150 courses to between 1400 and 1500 people each year. Selected ACE courses are accredited, thereby increasing workplace opportunities for people seeking employment. ACE employs three part-time workers and approximately 150 casual tutors. Visit the ACE website at www.acemullum.com or email them at ace@mullum.com.au.

After-school care

After-school care was first established under the auspices of the Byron Community and Cultural Centre to provide safe quality after school care for children. It gives children opportunities to participate in developmentally appropriate activities which stimulate their interests and hone their skills. Activities include arts, crafts, games, cooking and sports. The program is run at St Finbarrs school from 3pm to 6pm Monday to Friday during school term. There is also a program at Federal.

Bay AMI Accommodation Inc

Bay AMI was established in 1986, with the support of the Byron Community and Cultural Centre. Bay AMI is a non-government organisation which is funded by the Department of Health. It provides advocacy, supported accommodation, education, rehabilitation and crisis support for people with diagnosed psychiatric conditions. Phone 6684 1765 for details.

Byron Bay Youth House

The Youth House was established following a submission by the Byron Community and Cultural Centre on the needs of homeless youth in the area. It provides a medium to long-term refuge for homeless 12 to 18 year olds. The project is funded by the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program, with the house rented from the Department of Housing. The House employs four full-time workers and three relief workers and volunteers provide valuable friendship and assistance.

The house addresses many needs: education, training for employment, living skills, clothing and medical treatment if needed. It also provides links with the community to help young people access apprenticeships and work experience.

Byron Emergency Accommodation Project (BEAP)

BEAP was set up by a small band of caring people concerned at the lack of services in the area for people in crisis, and the numbers of people who, through circumstances often beyond their control, were forced to sleep rough. It was established in 1986 as a crisis service to help homeless people in the Byron Shire.

Members of the Byron Community and Cultural Centre were directly involved in the original funding and establishment of BEAP through the Byron Shire Inter-agency Group. The Centre, BEAP and the Youth House developed a community-based Accommodation Support Program, with the Centre responsible for the planning, coordination and administration for the project. The Centre is a primary referral agency for BEAP clients.
BEAP is funded on a 12 month basis through the Department of Community Services as part of Federal/State initiative. The service employs three full time workers and three relief workers, with volunteer caretakers providing a 24 hour service.

BEAP manages two residences, one for short to medium term stays (maximum three months) and the second for longer term residents. BEAP is an eight bed refuge accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year which offers assistance, counselling and support. Contact: 66858477

Byron Housing Support Program

Auspiced by the Byron Community and Cultural Centre in 1994, the Byron Housing Support Project is DOCS funded, and provides medium term supported-accommodation for homeless youth, young mothers, victims of domestic violence and those recovering from drug and alcohol abuse. It offers a sole worker 24 hour on-call service with case management, crisis counselling support, information and referral.

There are five houses, including one drug and alcohol recovery house. Assistance is given to develop accommodation options and achieve independent living. Ring 6685 5230.

Byron Youth Services

Byron Youth Service was originally auspiced by the Byron Community and Cultural Centre. It was incorporated in May 1987 and in turn became the auspicing body for a number of programs.

Go to www.bys.org.au for more information.

Byron Youth Activities

The need for a youth centre became apparent in 1983 when a survey showed that local hotels were the sole source of entertainment for many young people aged 15 years and over. For three years the Byron Community and Cultural Centre’s hall was used free of charge to run youth activities evenings on weekends, with more than 70 young people using the facility each night.

When in 1986 it became obvious that a larger and better equipped venue was needed, the Centre acted as the auspicing body for a youth activities and sporting centre committee which aimed to build a youth centre in the town. After seven years hard work the committee obtained land on the Byron Bay Sandhills Estate and the Byron Shire Council allocated funds to build a youth centre. This successful outcome would not have been achieved without the generous support and involvement of the Byron Community and Cultural Centre.

The Youth Activities Centre at 1 Gilmore Crescent is a large space used to run programs for young people. It is managed by the Byron Shire Council and employs a youth activities officer. Its programs centre include theatre, computer training, films, circus, art and music. Phone 6685 7557.

Exit House

Exit House was set up by the Byron Bay Youth House for residents who demonstrate that they are capable of independent living. A part-time worker is responsible for the residents, for collecting rents, and for helping young people obtain work experience, training or jobs or with any problems they encounter. Exit House was integrated into the Byron Housing Support Program in 1994.

This project was originally administered by the Byron Community and Cultural Centre, as one of a number of programs to give support and networking opportunities to young people and families. Other activities included a subsidised course in communication and stress management and a soup kitchen which continues to operate.

Kickstart

Kickstart is managed through the Byron Youth Service and was initially housed at the Byron Community and Cultural Centre. It targets early school leavers and those at risk of leaving early. The program's objective is to develop literacy, numeracy, and self esteem of the client group through operating informally structured 10 week programs and with ongoing follow-up and support. It was established in April 1989 and attracts more than 100 clients each year.

Sandhills Early Childhood Centre

Originally known as Toddlers’ Inn, the Sandhills early childhood centre was set up under the auspices of the Byron Community and Cultural Centre in 1984 to provide occasional day care for 0-5 year olds. It and was incorporated in 1991, and in 1995 re-established as a long day care centre under its current name. Since 1995 it has been auspiced by Byron Shire Council.

The centre employs eight full time, five part time and three casual staff. It is a multi-purpose educational day care centre for children 0-5 years and after school care for 5-8 year olds.

Byron Vacation Centre

Byron Vacation Care was established in 1981 by the Byron Community and Cultural Centre, which managed the program in its early years. Vacation care is provided over school holiday periods for children aged between 5 and 12. It employs two full time and four part time workers plus two specialists. Care is provided for an average of 30 children daily, 150 children weekly and 1000 children a year. Vacation care is run at St Finbarrs school. Ring 6685 8118 for more information.

Workplace

Workplace was auspiced by the Byron Youth Service and housed at the Byron Community and Cultural Centre, which also provided administration support until 1991. The program provided individual help to unemployed people aged under 25 to improve their job prospects through job placement, training, referral and general support.

During its life, the program provided intensive assistance to more than 450 young people and made more than 259 employment and training placements. On average 50 clients were assisted each month, most of those being young people living in Byron Shire.