Launch of the KYTT Evaluation: Supporting Young People to Build Their Future
Launch of the KYTT Evaluation: Supporting Young People to Build Their Future
Karinya Youth Services was proud to come together in Launceston to launch the independent evaluation, Not Scared Teenagers Anymore: An Impact Review of the Karinya Youth Transitional Tenancy (KYTT) Program, marking an important moment for young people, our community and everyone who has been part of this journey.
The room brought together government representatives, partners, researchers, funders, staff and community members. It was a moment to pause, reflect and recognise what has been achieved, while also looking ahead to what is possible when we continue this work together.
At its heart, this was not just a launch. It was a shared recognition that young people deserve more than short-term responses. They deserve stability, support and the opportunity to build a future.
Listening to Young People
Opening the event, CEO Jane Gaetani-Black spoke about the foundation of Karinya's work, which begins with listening.
"Today is not simply about presenting evaluation findings. It is about recognising what becomes possible when young people are given stability, time and trusted support."
KYTT was developed because young people were telling us something important.
They were telling us that crisis accommodation alone was not enough. That moving from one short-term solution to another did not give them the space to recover, to grow or to imagine a different future.
What they needed was stability.
Time to breathe.
Time to feel safe.
Time to begin again.
What the Evaluation Tells Us
The independent evaluation, Not Scared Teenagers Anymore: An Impact Review of the Karinya Youth Transitional Tenancy (KYTT) Program, conducted by Dr Carmel Hobbs and Dr Catherine Robinson from the University of Tasmania, confirms the impact of this approach.
The findings show that KYTT has supported young people to move into independent and longer-term housing, including public housing, community housing, private rental and, in some cases, safe reunification with family. Importantly, no young person exited the program into homelessness, reflecting the strong focus on stability and supported transitions.
These outcomes matter.
But as Karinya Board Chair Natalie Mayes reflected, behind every data point is a young person navigating uncertainty, often without the safety nets many of us take for granted.
What the evaluation shows us is that when young people are given the right support, at the right time, in a way that recognises their stage of life and their experiences, change is possible.
More Than Housing
At its core, KYTT is about more than providing a place to live.
It is about walking alongside young people as they build their independence.
The program brings together stable housing, relationship-based case management, life skills development and tenancy support. It recognises that young people are still growing, still forming their identity, and still building the foundations for adulthood.
As Jane shared, this approach creates "breathing space, safety and continuity," not only for young people, but for the broader system that supports them.
It creates the conditions for healing, learning and growth.
The Role of Community
There is an old African proverb that resonates deeply in the current climate of negative media and community commentary about young people:
"The child who is not embraced by the village will burn it down to feel its warmth."
For us, this is not about blame.
It is about responsibility.
When young people do not experience safety, belonging and support, the impact does not sit with them alone. It ripples outward into families, into communities and into systems.
KYTT is one way of ensuring that young people feel the warmth of the village.
Not through crisis, but through care.
Not through reaction, but through relationships.
It is about creating spaces where young people are seen, supported and valued, before things reach a breaking point.
Strong Foundations and Future Focus
In her closing remarks, Board Chair Natalie Mayes spoke about what it means to invest in young people in a way that is both thoughtful and effective.
She reflected that KYTT is more than just a program. It is a deliberate investment in stability, in prevention and in young people before disadvantage becomes entrenched.
From a governance perspective, she emphasised the importance of the independent evaluation in giving confidence that this work is not only compassionate, but credible and effective.
She also highlighted a key challenge. Demand continues to exceed capacity, and this calls for careful consideration about how the program can grow while protecting what makes it work so well.
A Collective Effort
We were honoured to have The Honourable Jo Palmer, Minister for Education, Children and Young People, join us for the launch. Her ongoing support highlights the importance of working together across sectors to respond to complex challenges in a coordinated and thoughtful way.
This work is not done in isolation.
It is made possible through strong partnerships, including the Tasmanian Community Fund, Homes Tasmania and many others who share a commitment to doing things differently.
It is also driven every day by the dedication of staff who walk alongside young people with persistence, care and respect.
Looking Ahead Together
The evaluation gives us confidence in what we are doing, but it also reminds us that there is more to do.
As Natalie shared, sustained investment in models like KYTT is not just a social response. It is a strategic one that strengthens systems and supports young people to move forward with confidence and capability.
Looking ahead, our focus remains on continuing this work in a way that maintains quality, integrity and long-term impact.
Because this is what creates real change.
More Than a Program
KYTT is more than a program.
It is a reflection of what is possible when young people are met with care, respect and belief in their potential.
When young people experience real stability, they do not just get through the day.
They begin to build.
They begin to contribute.
They begin to lead.
We are proud of the young people who have been part of KYTT, and deeply grateful to everyone who continues to walk alongside them.
Together, we look forward to continuing this work and creating more opportunities for young people to build safe, stable and hopeful futures.