Weave Youth & Community Services is a place-based, community-led organisation based on Gadigal and Bidjigal Lands in Sydney. Embedded in its local communities, Weave is a powerful agent for transformative change.
Weave’s origins date back to 1976, when a group of local Aboriginal women in Redfern/ Waterloo advocated for services, activities and support for local young people. We are grateful to those strong, passionate women. Today, our diverse range of programs and services support children, young people, women, families and communities, many of whom have been impacted by systemic disadvantage and intergenerational trauma.
As a result, the people we support at Weave often experience complex issues such as poverty, poor mental health and social and emotional wellbeing, domestic and family violence, homelessness, high rates of suicide, family breakdown, racism and discrimination, lack of access to opportunities, relationship issues, high levels of incarceration and alcohol and other drug issues.
As a non-Aboriginal organisation, we have an ongoing commitment to continuing to build our cultural capability and our capacity to provide culturally safe services and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Weave is strongly committed to walking alongside Aboriginal people in their ongoing fight for justice and self-determination.
Our approach is shaped by our Aboriginal Healing Framework, developed by our Aboriginal staff that guides every level of our organisation, from the Board and leadership team right through to staff and volunteers. It’s not just a strategy; it’s our commitment to striving to create transformative change in an inclusive, respectful, and culturally responsive manner.
Around 70% of all those we support across Weave are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. Around 20% of staff employed at Weave, and 45% of our current Board members are Aboriginal.
Our Purpose
To empower people to change their lives.
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Our Vision
A strong connected community with opportunities, equity and justice for all.
Our Values
- Respect
- Integrity
- Fairness & Justice
- Equity
- Sustainability
- Collaboration & Good Practice
- Creativity, Perseverance and a Sense of Humour
Our Name
Our name reflects the complexity of life and the multiple strands that hold us together. Weave represents the many integrated programs we provide and the way our clients weave in and out of support as they need it.
Weave is about connecting young people, families and the wider community, and strengthening the bonds that help reduce social isolation. Each thread is enriched and strengthened through the work we do and the relationships we build.
We acknowledge, understand and celebrate the lives that come together in a complicated, rich weave.
Weave is entwined in the very fabric of our community.
