Welcome to The Y
Our Mission, Vision and Values
We’ve been building communities, empowering young people and caring for Australians since 1850.
We believe that everyone deserves a place to belong, and the space to grow. The Y in Australia has been serving and supporting young people and the communities around them since 1850.
We are a not-for-profit, that delivers programs to young people, old people and everyone in between to help them thrive. From our cancer survivors program in Queensland, to our four-year-old Kinder in Victoria – we’re there for you at every stage of life. We want you to feel seen, supported and strengthened.
Mission, Vision and Values
Our Mission
To empower children, young people and communities Australia-wide to build a just, sustainable, equitable and inclusive world, where every person can thrive in body, mind and spirit.
Our Vision
A better world, with and for young people
Our Strategy
Together, we drive systemic change to create a better world. We draw from our collective expertise, our deep community partnerships, and our local, national and global influence.
Vision 2030
To deliver on our vision sits our even bolder Strategy Statement.
Together Y’s across Australia are committed to driving systemic change across:
Meaningful Work
Empowering young people to navigate and thrive in the dynamic world of work
Community Wellbeing
Building healthy, connected communities, where children and young people thrive
Just World
Amplifying the diverse voices of children and young people to shape a just world
Sustainable Planet
Adapting, protecting and renewing for a sustainable planet
We work with 650 communities across Australia and 12,000 globally. We have an extensive service profile and a deep knowledge of providing life-long support to children and young people.
Values
Living Our Values: Caring, Honesty, Respect, Responsibility, and Safety
At Y Whittlesea, our values are more than words—they are the heartbeat of everything we do. Together, we create a safe and inclusive space where everyone can thrive.
Honest- We trust and empower each other to communicate bravely, truthfully, and with radical transparency.
Safe- Our actions and language ensure everyone (including animals!) feel emotionally, physically, and culturally safe as we learn and grow.
Responsible- We lead with ownership and hold ourselves accountable for our actions and outcomes.
Caring- We show genuine interest in all people, checking in authentically to ensure they feel valued, supported, and appreciated.
Respectful- We embrace individuality and cultivate an environment where every voice is heard and every opinion is valued.
We believe in the transformative power of these values. They challenge us to be better, inspire us to take action, and remind us of our shared mission: to create a better world with and for young people
Talk to our team
At The Y, every person is at the centre of everything we do.