Maya Young Women's Refuge

Maya Cottage is a specialised youth refuge which provides transitional accommodation for young women aged between the ages of 14 and 18 years who are homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless.

Maya provides a safe and secure environment for up to 6 young women at any given time. All clients accessing this service are important and valued and staff will assist and support each client to work through their individual issues.

Clients of Maya are offered a case management approach to service delivery. This approach allows each individual client to determine what their needs are and what assistance they require.

Maya works with client to reconnect with their families where possible. However, when this is not an option, staff assist clients to access other services and accommodation options within the community.

All clients are encouraged and supported to maintain some form of day activity like school, work or a training/educational program. This develops self esteem, promotes community participation and provides clients with better options to move forward.

Every client that comes to Maya participates in the day to day planning and running of the house. This is achieved through a living skills programme which aims to identify current living skills and provides an opportunity to develop further skills such as budgeting, meal preparation and everyday household tasks. All of these skills are essential in assisting clients to move towards independence and make healthy life choices.

Whilst staying at Maya clients pay a weekly board, which is determined by their income and capacity to pay and does not exceed $60 per week.

When exiting Maya, clients are offered ongoing support and assistance by way of outreach for an agreed time frame. Outreach support assists clients to have a smooth transition into new accommodation.

Referrals to Maya are taken directly by either phone, fax or in person. Referrals can come from clients themselves, schools, other refuges, government and also non-government agencies.

Maya is funded by the Department of Community Services through the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program.

Maya Young Women's Brochure (168 KB)