IN 2009 Riley Frahm faced a bleak future at risk of homelessness. Today he is a mentor representing Intercept Youth and Family Service at their Beat the Street Community Festival.

Thousands of people will unite at Centenary Lakes from 3pm on October 15 to help wipe out youth homelessness in the Moreton Bay community.

The free festival will showcase musical performances from headline act Sydney band New Empire, national beat box artist Joel Turner, Dissonance and Gold Coast band Burning Brooklyn.

Riley,14, turned his life around with Intercept’s support and is now in a position to help others.

“I have stopped taking drugs, drinking and doing crime,” he said.

“I am going to talk to other people at the festival and try and help them stop doing the stupid things I did.”

Beat the Street is part of the Reconnect program, administered by Intercept.  Reconnect is an early intervention program working with 12 to18-year-olds and is funded by the Federal Government.

Reconnect Youth and Family Worker Charlene Johnson said Riley has come a long way in two years.

“Back then he was walking the streets at 2am, breaking into cars and his mother thought his behavior would lead him into the justice system,” she said.

“They suspended him from school nearly each month and he often blacked out because he was so angry.”

Riley’s history has given him insight into homelessness and he now knows there is light at the end of the tunnel.

“I was always out on the street until morning and then we’d have to go to school,” he said.

“It’s not easy living in the cold street having to keep one eye open.

“I am now doing a course to help me find a job and hopefully I can start an apprenticeship as a mechanic or a plasterer.

“Intercept helps youth like me through counseling and places people into safe shelters.

“My life has become a lot easier and more fulfilling.”

His advice to other youth in crisis is to “think before you act and put your hand up for help, don’t just sit in a dark corner. Also, find access to services like Intercept.”

The festival entertainment will kick off with a high school Battle of the Bands competition. Finalists have written a song themed around youth homelessness. The winner will receive a trophy and have their song professionally recorded at a studio.  

A Couch Surfing Arena will be setup, where attendees can have their photo taken to show support for young people at risk of homelessness.

The festival will also feature a variety of stalls to keep families entertained, food, drinks and a fireworks display.

Catching public transport to Centenary Lakes will be the best way to get to the festival. Limited parking will be available at Centenary Lakes and the nearest train station is Caboolture, about one kilometre away.

Intercept is funded through the Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.