The role of the Youth (& Family) Worker is to provide individual and group-based support to young people and their families. AYC’s support, programs and activities are open to anyone 12-24 years of age (and their families) but target ‘vulnerable’ groups of young people including those from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Refugee/Migrant and in Out-of-Home-Care (OoHC) backgrounds.
The Youth (& Family) Worker assists young people to engage with and access services at Auburn Youth Centre. They provide support, mentoring, goals setting, personal planning, information and referral. They facilitate group work to help young people develop skills, knowledge and self awareness. They work with the young person’s family to address issues as required and consented to by the young person. They link young people and families with other services across the Cumberland LGA and Western Sydney as required. Youth and family workers can assist young people with issues including mental health, education, homelessness, trouble with the law, homelessness, AOD, family conflict, financial wellbeing, citizenship and health.
Programs presently facilitated by Youth (& Family) Workers include Girls Only Social Group, Work & Development Orders (fines), Healthy Relationships, Life Skills, Decision Making and Critical Thinking, Empowerment, Job Club, After School and School Holiday Programs
This is a free service and anyone can make a referral to the Youth (& Family) Worker. You can make a referral by completing a referral form (click here for referral form) and email it to admin@ayc.org.au or call us on 02 9646 2122 with any other queries relating to the referral process or the services provided. You can always walk into the Centre and ask for help.
Our Youth (& Family) Workers are
Robin Benz
Robin Benz is a Youth (& Family) Worker at Auburn Youth Centre. He is experienced in and passionate about training, supporting and working with young people from various cultural backgrounds in both the social/community work and hospitality sectors. Robin completed a Bachelor of Socio-Legal Studies at the University of Sydney and a Master of Social Work at Western Sydney University. Having arrived in Australia as a migrant ,and being multilingual himself informs his social work practice and cross cultural communication skills which allows him to make a difference for a range of diverse young people. He is also very aware of the challenges of gaining Australian citizenship.
Areas of special interest include crime prevention, sport and migration.
Jasmin Forrest
Jasmin has been working in community services since 2012 and has experience working with children, families and young people. Jasmin has worked with people in the disability sector and OOHC and has supported people with employment, NDIS, mental health, life skills and advocacy . Jasmin has worked in primary schools and high schools facilitating group work and working with students to achieve their goals. Jasmin is presently completing her Master of Social Work and is a partner in a Business providing sensory products and programs for young children and parents. Among many other roles at AYC Jasmin is a leader of the Cumberland Linker Networks Young parents group.
Lana Aupauu
Lana is a Youth (& family) worker with 5 years of experience in the community sector and 3 years working with AYC mainly with young people and families of diverse backgrounds. Lana is currently studying her bachelor’s degree in Social Work at Western Sydney University after completing her Diploma in Youth Work . Lana has co-ordinated many successful events for AYC that create and build community connections, including Career Expo’s and Youth Week Events. Her work creating and supporting the Pacific Island Youth Committee and activities that arise from the Committee are important in the community.
Lana has a passion for equity and social justice and strives to work towards this at AYC. Lana also has special interests in music, art, games, books and movies.
Gokhan Singec
Introducing the unofficial Mayor of AUBURN, Gokhan Singec –Youth Worker @ AYC who has been working in the community sector now for 10 years. Gokhan has completed his Diploma of Community Services, and Diploma of Youth Work at TAFE NSW. When something happens in the Auburn Community rest assured that someone will ask Gokhan for help.
Gokhan Singec has a great passion for sport and recreation and is a big advocate of sport to connect with all young people. Gokhan has certificates and qualifications in the following, Cert III- Fitness, Cert Level 1 Boxing, Soccer Youth Coaching License C as well as first Aid.
When working alongside young people, Gokhan believes a strength based approach is best practice. For Gokhan this means all young people deserve a chance, a voice and the ability to be the creators of their own dreams. Auburn has always been a community that is ready and willing to learn and change, be helpful and compassionate, these qualities can be found in Gokhan Singec. He is a local, born and bread in Auburn, speaking fluent Turkish.