Who are we?

 Bridges Reconnect provides free confidential support to young people between 12 and 18-years-old and their families to:

• help young people stay at home until they have the necessary skills to become independent
• assist young people to re-enter the community if they have become homeless
• assist young people to re-engage with their families where appropriate, and their communities through counselling, mediation and general support, and
• assist young people to better deal with conflict within the family home where it places the young person at risk of homelessness.

Upcoming initiatives at the service include a drop-in centre for vulnerable teenagers, R.A.G.E (Re-Navigating Anger and Guilty Emotions) program rolled out at schools and Families in Change parent support group.

“Reconnect is focused on early intervention and prevention. It’s about the family and what’s happening in the home.  

Team Leader Allan Cooper

The Reconnect Program is a Federal Government initiative, funded by the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs to help prevent youth homelessness.

“Strong family relationships are key to student outcomes.  Bridges Reconnect has supported many students and their parents locally, by providing them with strategies and skills to maintain a united family.”

Browns Plains State High School Principal Mark Blackshaw

How to access the service

Young people can call us themselves or they may be referred by school staff, other youth agencies and government departments. Families may also contact us to seek information or assistance. The office is open 9am-5pm Monday to Friday.

“The service model is diverse and holistic which suits our clients that often have complex needs in addition to being at risk of homelessness.”

Previous Bridges client

How do we support young people?

Bridges Reconnect can help young people to:

• work things out with their parents and family to support them to stay in school when things get tough or assist them with either mainstream or alternative education
• link in with employment and training options
• apply for income support through Centrelink (if eligible)
• connect with programs that help address issues such as low self-esteem, relationship building and conflict resolution, and
• connect with homeless shelters and or accommodation services.

“Bridges firstly de-stresses young adults under severe stress. Secondly, builds relationships calling on a vast knowledge of networks to help young adults. Thirdly, develop successful pathways to help young adults take control of their life without the support of family, when necessary.”

Previous Bridges client  

How do we support parents and families?

Bridges Reconnect can help parents, guardians and families to:

• work things out with their young people
• communicate better with their young people
• address and mediate conflict issues within the family unit
• set family goals and limits
• learn new strategies for coping with conflict within the family home
• that is placing their young people at risk of homelessness, and
• learn to live apart but stay connected to their young people.

“The staff meeting was very effective and helped me looked at things differently.”

Previous Bridges client

The Reconnect team is flexible - able to come to the young person while they are at school, meet them at an agreed local public place or within the family home where appropriate. These appointments can be outside of school and work hours if necessary.

“It’s important we can keep families united and they have a better understanding of the issues most parents face.”