Youth team available, EV’s Hangout open over school holiday break

Council’s youth team will continue to support Maroondah’s young people and their families over the 2018/19 Christmas school holidays.

The popular EV’s Hangout, which runs out of EV’s Youth Centre in Croydon, will remain open throughout the school holiday period, between 3pm and 6pm every Thursday (except on Thursday 27 December 2018). 

Councillor Marijke Graham said that for any young person aged 12-25 in need of help or advice over the Christmas break, they could call, text or Facebook message the team, or drop into EV’s on a Thursday.

Alternatively, young people could call during business hours to make an appointment to speak to a youth worker either over the phone, in person at EV’s or Realm, or wherever they felt comfortable to chat.

“Due to EV’s Hangout being so popular, we’ve decided to keep it running as a trial over the summer break,” Cr Graham said.

“Council offers a Youth Support Service to young people and their families, who are welcome and encouraged to access Youth Services for information, assistance and support on any topic, or referral to another support agency. The team always welcome a call, text, email, or a Facebook message on any working day, in whatever way works best for you,” Cr Graham said.

EV’s Youth Centre is used as a meeting place, a source of information and education, and as a drop-in space for those aged 12-25 each Thursday from 3pm to 6pm (during school terms).

EV’s Hangout will continue as normal in the first week back to school in Term 1, on Thursday 31 January 2019.

Cr Graham said the website also offered a list of contact details for other local support services, and other resources for young people and their families.

“So, if you or someone you know finds themselves in a position where they need support or help, then our youth workers can provide information on almost any issue, including school, finding a job, family issues, getting involved in the community, or if a young person is just having a hard time,” Cr Graham said.

“Especially now that school has ended for the year, I know there will be many Year 12 school-leavers out there who, when the time comes to decide, may need that extra support and guidance if undecided about whether to pursue tertiary studies, enter the workforce, or what to do next,” she said.

EV’s is located at 212 Mt Dandenong Road, Croydon and is just a 6-minute walk from Croydon Station. EV’s is also wheelchair accessible.

For more information, contact Council’s Youth Services team on 9294 5704, email [email protected], visit the Maroondah Youth Services website or Facebook page.

If you need help after office hours or on weekends, including on public holidays, you can call one of these 24-hour /7-day services for immediate help: