About Gap Youth and Community Centre Aboriginal Corporation
The Gap Youth and Community Centre is a grass roots organisation which was established in 1977 by the local Aboriginal Community. The organisation’s central goal is to provide a safe place for young Indigenous people and their families. Gap Youth and Community Centre has a high level of understanding of the youth context and a long history of delivering programs for young Aboriginal people in Alice Springs.
Outside School Hours Care
We provide a fully supervised Outside of School Hours Care (OSHC) program for primary school aged children attending local schools in Alice Springs. Our program focuses on age appropriate programming and a sense of belonging, play, fun, and education. Our staff are here to help your child feel included, to inspire them to learn and experience the world in a safe environment. Children learn through exploration and this is a key focus of our programming. We help children learn how to interact socially, how to communicate effectively and how to be kind.
Vacation Care
Our vacation care program runs in every school holiday period throughout the year, with a short closure between Christmas and New Year. The program operates from 8.30am to 5pm weekdays, with the option of transport home for a small additional cost which can be booked at the time of enrolment. During vacation care we have a full day of various activities for children to engage, learn and be inspired. It can be a long day for children at the centre and a key component of this program is to take the children to various locations in and around town and let them experience Alice Springs to its fullest.
After Hours Youth Program
Our After Hours Youth Program (AHYP) operates 7 days a week and is a safe space that young people can drop in for fun and support. We provide a culturally appropriate inclusive space for young people from 10 – 17 years old to access sport, education, life skills, music, arts, workshops and friendship. The voices of our young people drive our programs and we work with their families to support their development and help them to reach their potential.
Youth Diversion
Our Youth Diversion Program works with children and young people aged 10 to 17 years of age who have been referred to the program by the Northern Territory Police Force. The program also has capacity to support children at risk of contact with the Youth Justice system, who may have not had formal diversion involvement. The program is under pinned by a strengths-based, trauma informed approach and operates within a Restorative Justice framework.
Reconnect – Youth Homelessness Program
A preventive early intervention program for 12 to 18 year olds’ and their families where the young person is homeless or at risk of homelessness. The program seeks to improve relationships where the youth is becoming disconnected from their families, school or work and where there is a risk of their leaving home prematurely without family support.
