Lions Youth Haven Inc is a project of the Canberra and Queanbeyan Lions Clubs which was incorporated in 1988. LYH owns a 99-year lease on the 30 hectare Rural Block 1593 in the Tuggeranong Division. LYH is an Incorporated Association, a registered charity and a Deductible Gift Recipient.
The aim and vision of Lions Youth Haven is to support and encourage young people who are disengaged, at-risk or require additional learning support, and give them the training and confidence needed to achieve their goals in life.
Our programs, in partnership with other community organisations, include the Farm Skills education program, The Galilee School, day programs and residential care for youth with intellectual disabilities, workplace learning for high school students through the education department’s WEX program, and transition housing for families.
We have three staff members and are managed and supported by volunteers from the Lions Clubs of Canberra.
The objectives of LYH:
- to provide a place where youth who are vulnerable, disengaged or at-risk can find refuge and support.
- to provide young people with training in basic skills which will equip them to better fill their places in society as self-sufficient and productive individuals, both in an economic sense and in a personal sense, giving them the confidence to relate positively to other members of the society in which they live.
- to give young people a place in the outdoors to learn about and develop their own skills and self-esteem in an outdoor environment.
- to provide places which are largely self-supporting, primarily in a farming situation, which will teach techniques and skills to the young people for whom they are established.
Who runs LYH:
- Each year the Canberra and Queanbeyan Lions Clubs nominate 2 members to sit on the LYH Board. Those nominees elect an Executive comprising the Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer for the year. There usually around 20 members on the LYH Board. Responsibilities for managing aspects of LYH are allocated to Project Directors.
- The Board meets at least 10 months of the year. The Executive meets most Fridays. A full time Farm Manager is employed by LYH and lives on site. A full time Office Manager is employed by LYH also.
Funding
LYH has established four funding streams to meet the expense of maintaining the property and supporting the programs.
- Agistment is provided for around fifty horses in stables and shared and private paddocks.
- LYH maintains a small herd of around 20 cattle primarily to support the Farm Skills Program and to provide some income.
- LYH receives income in the form of licence fees from commercial tenants.
- In 2012 LYH opened Westwood Lodge. The lodge is designed to accommodate up to 56 school children and 7 teachers in groups visiting the Canberra attractions. Groups from all across Australia and as far as and Singapore have used Westwood Lodge as their base for visiting the attractions.
- Except for grants from time to time, LYH does not receive regular funding from governments.
The LYH Foundation
Although the funding streams in normal times largely meet the costs of maintaining the farm and the programs, the impacts of the drought and COVID-19 have been severe, and donations are very warmly received. The Lions Clubs of Canberra and Queanbeyan each year donate substantial time and money to further the aims of LYH.
The LYH Foundation aims to encourage Lions Clubs to donate to LYH through the purchase of plaques which honour notable Lions who have served LYH with distinction, for their worthy members.
Donations to LYH will enable the Board to maintain and expand our programs, providing a caring haven and education opportunities for youth in the Canberra and Queanbeyan region.
Footnote: LYH was largely destroyed in the 2003 Canberra fires. It has taken the dedication of many of the Lions Clubs’ members and our partners to rebuild the LYH we see today.
