Our Purpose
Our Young People
At Karinya, we look beyond the immediate challenges. Each young person is vibrant, capable, and resilient - with their own aspirations and potential for the future.
Who we walk alongside
At Karinya, we look beyond the immediate challenges faced by the young people we support. Each young person is vibrant, capable, and resilient, with their own aspirations and potential for the future. Through tailored support, we help open doors to new possibilities, building self-belief and confidence along the way.
Our work is guided by a clear vision of a future where all young people are nurtured, protected, and inspired to succeed.
Our journey together is grounded in understanding, respect, and a shared vision for what comes next. We partner with young people to create safe, supportive, and inspiring environments where they can stabilise, grow, and move forward with confidence.
We celebrate the diversity of each young person's goals and ambitions. Their circumstances do not define who they are. It is their strengths, abilities, and determination that shape their story.
With the right support and environment, our young people continue to show that there are no limits to what they can achieve. They are artists and thinkers, leaders and innovators, dreamers and doers. In their growth, resilience, and transformation, we see the true purpose of our work.
The Reality
43%
of Tasmania's homeless population are aged under 24 (ABS Census 2021) — above the national average.
40+
young people currently on the KYTT waiting list, unable to access support.
Our approach
Empowerment through Belief, Action, and Words
Our approach is collaborative and holistic, focusing on strengths while supporting young people to overcome the barriers they face. Everything we do is grounded in our values of hope, kindness, safety, accountability, and innovation - which guide how we show up, how we support, and how we walk alongside each young person.
We believe in the power of encouragement, guidance, and ongoing personal growth. By providing the right support - whether that is emotional care, life skills, or access to education and opportunities - we support young people to build independence, confidence, and a sense of direction.
Every achievement, big or small, reflects both their resilience and what is possible when belief is put into action.
Join us in celebrating their journeys
The stories of the young people we support are powerful. They show that with the right support, challenges can be overcome and goals can be realised.
We invite you to learn more about their journeys and celebrate what they are achieving. Together, we can help create a future where every young person has the opportunity to thrive, grow, and reach their full potential.
In their own words
"I'm writing to you to speak about my personal experience with Karinya as a young person who had the experience of living there for an extended period.
Previously, I had struggled with homelessness, severe mental issues as well as drug and alcohol problems. I was in a truly bad place. In the weeks before I first went to Karinya, I was sleeping rough in parks. I was hungry, cold, and scared for my life. I had no will to keep going and genuinely thought that this was it for me. I had no one and nothing left.
I found out about Karinya from a friend. I was terrified to go to a shelter and trust people again. They brought me in and I did nothing but act closed off and cold. They kept trying to get me to open up a bit more and I eventually did. In the environment that they provided me, I felt safe and cared for. The wonderful staff there were so warm and welcoming and kind and genuinely cared about both me and everyone else there. They grew to feel like a family that I could talk with, cry with, and laugh with.
They helped me find safer coping mechanisms and love myself a little bit more. They helped me get into school and get on Centrelink. They then pushed me to try over and over to get a job and when I did, helped me get into my first property and helped me with budgeting, cooking skills, and other skills to help me with everyday life.
Even though I now am doing okay, they are all still there for me whenever I need and constantly make sure I am aware of that. I feel genuinely happy and like I can now do something with myself and my life. I want to keep going and be successful for myself but also for them because of everything they've done for me.
They've gotten me from wanting to give up to feeling like I can do something promising with my life. I've never been more proud of myself or grateful for anyone in my life. I wouldn't be where I am or who I am today without the help of every single one of those staff members. I'm looking forward to my future and hoping that they can keep doing what they've done for me for other people. I was truly granted a miracle."
— Young person, age 17
make a donation
Help make this possible
Every donation helps ensure more young people have access to the support that can change their lives.
