Father Chris Riley’s Youth Off The Streets has been assisting disadvantaged young Australians for over 25 years, supporting them as they work to overcome immense personal trauma or abuse. Sony Foundation’s longstanding partnership with YOTS involves a substantial annual donation which funds a youth psychologist across several sites in greater Sydney, a Food Van which feeds the homeless in Sydney every evening, and an annual youth scholarship supporting a disadvantaged, yet gifted young person to pursue further education.
In addition to these services, Sony Foundation also provides opportunities and experiences for young people who access YOTS services. We work with each of the Sony companies and our Corporate Partners to create unique experiences relevant to the culture, assets and interests of each individual company and their staff to create enriching experiences for all involved.
For more information about YOTS visit www.youthoffthestreets.com
Scholarship Program
The YOTS National Scholarship Program celebrates the talents and strengths of young people who exhibit extraordinary promise – but who lack the support and resources to fulfil their potential.
Every year, Sony Foundation awards one Youth Off The Streets scholarship to a young person to help them pursue further education and training – and work towards a positive future.
“This scholarship has helped me and impacted my life so dramatically I am unable to imagine where I may have been without it. I definitely know I wouldn’t have been able to make it past the first semester of uni and I am so grateful as this scholarship allows me to better my future.”
–Sarah Jane, 2017 Scholarship Recipient
YOTS FOOD VAN
The Food Van was one of the first services opened by Youth Off The Streets in 1991 and continues as a vital presence in Kings Cross today. It is an important link to the young homeless on the streets of Inner Sydney, connecting them to the services and support provided by Youth Off The Streets.
Teams of volunteers cook and serve the food while they battle rain, wind, cold and heat to ensure the homeless men, women, children and young people in the city have the opportunity for a meal. The Food Van operates 364 days of the year. It travels from Marrickville to Darlinghurst, serving people in need free hot food and drinks. Volunteers serve men, women and young people who are homeless or without stable accommodation. Thanks to Sony Foundation Corporate Partner employees who volunteer to ensure the van goes out every night.
FAST FACTS
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Sony Foundation is the Principal Supporter of Father Chris Riley’s Youth Off The Streets (YOTS)
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YOTS works tirelessly to provide services to assist homeless and disadvantaged youth
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Sony Foundation’s Corporate Partners are heavily involved in a number of volunteer programs with YOTS
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Over the past decade, Sony Foundation has donated more than $2 million to YOTS
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Approximately 475 individual counselling session per year