New Youth Services team bringing hope amid homelessness in the NT
- 5 minutes ago
- 7 min read
BY KIRRALEE NICOLLE
The Salvation Army has launched its first-ever Youth Services team in the Northern Territory, with the uplift of a Street to Home program set to deliver culturally responsive, targeted assistance to young people.
At the helm is State Manager Felicity Pearson, who began in her role in November 2025.
The team of five is beginning to engage clients between the ages of 14 and 24 who are already homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Felicity said the team have been conducting assertive outreach in Garamilla (Darwin), Katherine, and Mparntwe (Alice Springs) since March.
She said team members were making themselves known, ensuring they were as “visible as possible” in the community with the goal of fostering trust and forming relationships with vulnerable young people. She said the target age group for her team was often missed in homelessness work.
“The Salvation Army shows great heart and courage in the youth space,” Felicity said.
“Our Street to Home program supports young people at-risk of, or experiencing, rough sleeping, within a young person-centred, trauma-informed case management approach. We’re filling a critical service gap that existed by providing immediate crisis support and intervention.
“We work closely alongside schools and communities, to keep young people safe and ensure their voices are heard.”
The team is offering early intervention for those relying on couch surfing, or whose family dynamics meant unstable housing was likely.
Felicity said while their engagement with a client was short-term, the goal was also to refer them onto other providers aligned with their health, educational, or housing needs, highlighting the importance of local partnerships.
“We think of it [as] getting them back up on their feet, getting all the other wraparound supports in place and walking with the young person for a time until they are confident to keep going on their journey toward independence,” she said.
As the team launched, the initial challenge was Ex-Tropical Cyclone Narelle, which interrupted their plans to begin outreach from 1 March. However, Felicity said this gave the team a chance to assist The Salvation Army Emergency Services (SAES) by offering extra hands. She said this provided for great interactions with youth at emergency shelters.
“Being able to get our presence out there amongst the rest of The Salvation Army was really a good opportunity,” she said.
Felicity, who brings experience from a background in the education sector, said her staff team held a wealth of knowledge about the landscape of service delivery and the needs and aspirations of the young people in the locations in which they were working.
“I have a very strong team that are supportive of one another despite the distance between them, using the wonders of technology to connect daily,” she said.
“We are excited about the continued expansion of TSA Youth Services in the Northern Territory. Watch this space!”
Felicity’s team have each shared a snapshot of their background, their hobbies, their passion for the work they do, and what they would tell their younger selves.
Garamilla Team, based in Darwin
Adeola Adewale
I am an enthusiastic Youth and Community Support Worker with extensive experience in the disability and youth sectors. I have a strong foundation of trauma-informed care and supporting young people with complex needs. I have experience managing complex behaviours of concern stemming from trauma at organisations such as MINDA SA and Edmen. Responsibilities have included mentoring, goal-setting, and advocating for young people in multi-agency meetings.
How did you come to be in youth outreach work, and part of The Salvation Army?
I began focusing specifically on high-needs youth support around March 2024 with Edmen Community Staffing Solution. In this role, I worked with young people facing significant challenges, including trauma-related behaviours and anxiety. This path continued with a role at MINDA SA starting in July 2025, where I focused on complex needs like gang involvement, substance abuse, and therapeutic care for children.
To support this career path, I earned a Diploma of Community Service and a Certificate IV in Disability Support. I also completed specific safety training such as ‘Safe Environments for Children and Young People’ to ensure a high standard of care in outreach settings.
I am privileged to have joined The Salvation Army, a connection that began during my formative years. From 1985 to 1990, I attended the Salvation Army Primary School in Freeman Street, Ebute Metta, Lagos, Nigeria. It was there that I was first introduced to a value-based curriculum that has shaped my character and principles ever since.
So far, what is your favorite part of your role?
My favourite part of the role is building genuine connections with young people.
When you aren’t at work, what are your favourite hobbies/ways to spend your time?
I enjoy staying active outdoors. Personal time might be spent go for a walk, biking, swimming, shopping with family or playing sports to stay physically fit and clear the mind.
If you could go back in time and tell yourself one thing when you were a teenager/young adult, what would you say?
“You’re allowed to want more than survival. You’re allowed to dream bigger than the circumstances you grew up in. And you don’t need permission to evolve.”
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Jess Healy
I have been lucky enough to have a varied work background including tourism, animal husbandry, and mental health peer work which has allowed me to live in some beautiful and remote parts of Australia.
How did you come to be in youth outreach work, and part of The Salvation Army?
After completing my Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work in 2024, I started working in mental health, and homelessness. Although I enjoyed my roles, I was passionate about creating positive change in a young person’s life as I wish I’d received similar support growing up. I wanted to work for The Salvation Army as my mum had worked for The Salvation Army Aged Care Services when I was completing high school and liked the organisation.
So far, what is your favourite part of your role?
I love working with young people and building a professional rapport based on honesty, hope and connection. I also like the challenges that youth work brings, and being able to use the problem-solving part of my brain as each young person’s situation is different.
When you aren’t at work, what are your favourite hobbies/ways to spend your time?
I love spending time at the beach with my cheeky cattle dog cross named Chief, working on craft projects, reading, volunteering, and checking out live music.
If you could go back in time and tell yourself one thing when you were a teenager/young adult, what would you say?
I’d probably quote the lyrics from the Jimmy Eat World song ‘The Middle’:
It just takes some time,
Little girl, you’re in the middle of the ride,
Everything, everything’ll be just fine,
Everything, everything’ll be alright, alright.
Mparntwe Team, based in Alice Springs
Freya Kinden
I have spent the past nine years working in Mparntwe (Alice Springs), Central Australia. I first came here on a six-week internship in 2017 doing social research and have been here ever since. I have worked in community development roles but have always been drawn to youth work roles, working with various youth programs and coaching Town Camp soccer teams. More recently, I have done case work in the FDV space while completing my nutrition studies. I now run my own cooking program for young people called Community Cook Up', while working as an Assertive Outreach Worker for The Salvation Army Youth Services.
How did you come to be in youth outreach work, and part of The Salvation Army?
Having witnessed young people experience housing instability, I was drawn to the role, as I believed it could offer a meaningful service for young people and their families.
So far, what is your favourite part of your role?
Being able to meet young people where they are at through outreach has been something that I have enjoyed about the role. I hope this will give young people confidence in our service, breaking down the barriers of service access.
When you aren’t at work, what are your favourite hobbies/ways to spend your time?
When I am not at work I am normally focusing on my business doing cooking programs for young people. I also enjoy cooking myself, camping, going to waterholes and enjoying the many events which happen in Central Australia.
If you could go back in time and tell yourself one thing when you were a teenager/young adult, what would you say?
Always take the chance on opportunities in front of you, as you never know where life will take you.
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CJ (Chijioke Egbuna)
I moved to Australia from Nigeria in 2024 and I’m currently based in Alice Springs. My background is mostly hands-on and people-focused, and I’ve always been someone who values community, connection, and supporting others where I can.
How did you come to be in youth outreach work, and part of The Salvation Army?
I’ve always had an interest in helping people, especially young people who might need guidance or support. Moving to a new country also showed me how important community is, and that’s what drew me to youth outreach and The Salvation Army. I wanted to be part of something that makes a real difference.
So far, what is your favourite part of your role?
My favourite part so far is being able to connect with people on a real level, just listening, understanding, and being present. Sometimes that alone can mean a lot. I’m looking forward to building stronger relationships and continuing to grow in the role so I can support people even better.
When you aren’t at work, what are your favourite hobbies/ways to spend your time?
In my free time, I like to keep things simple. I enjoy spending time being creative, watching content that helps me grow, and just staying active and focused. I like using my time in a way that keeps me improving and balanced.
If you could go back in time and tell yourself one thing when you were a teenager/young adult, what would you say?
I would tell myself to stay patient and consistent. Not everything happens quickly, but if you stay disciplined and keep going, things work out. I’d also say don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone.
Anything else you would like to add?
I’m really grateful to be part of this. I’m here to contribute, learn through experience, and do my best to make a positive impact.
