MyMounties: Top of the class
The Ted Noffs Foundation was founded by the great Australian humanitarian, Reverend Ted Noffs, in 1970. During his remarkable career of pioneering initiatives for young people, Ted Noffs established Sydney’s first 24 hour crisis centre in 1968, set up the first Drug Referral Centre in Sydney in 1967, co-founded the Aboriginal Affairs Foundation in 1962 and was the co-founder of Lifeline in 1963.
The Ted Noffs Foundation today continues the legacy of Ted Noffs by providing essential services for young people and their families.
Today Matt Noffs, the grandson of Ted, has taken over as the CEO of The Noffs Foundation. He continues his grandfather's legacy by pioneering a number of amazing initiatives for young people. In 2009, Matt knew that transforming a derelict tyre workshop in Liverpool into a youth centre was never going to be easy. It was the support received from Mounties that allowed his dream to become a reality.
The Street University is now operating over 8 locations around Australia, assisting over 15,000 young people each year. The aim is to help young people realise their own dreams, harness their potential and to create positive outcomes for their lives and their community.
“The Street Universities wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for Mounties. They were there at the very beginning and were the first organisation to get behind Matt Noffs and his vision” - Randy Glazer (Manager of The Street University Liverpool)
“For 11 years Mounties have made sure The Street University can continue to operate in South West Sydney. They supply us with an amazing warehouse space, fund our various programs and ensure we are able to keep delivering our engagement and clinical services to young people in the surrounding areas. For that we are eternally grateful.” Randy adds.
The initial funding from Mounties helped buy the old tyre shop and transform the building into a multipurpose safe space which includes a basketball court, an event space, a café, a classroom, 2 dance studios, a recording studio, a community garden, multimedia room, library and more. The regular support received now helps us fund specific programs ranging from traditional therapies like counselling to engagement programs in music, dance, street art, graphic design, photography, videography and more.
It is this progressive approach to social work with grassroots community participation that opens up dynamic and democratic spaces for marginalised and displaced cultures.
The Street University helps channel young people away from personally destructive and anti-social behaviours and to improve self-esteem, inter-communal co-operation and social engagement.
Street Universities show how anyone can achieve their dreams when they have the full support of family and the wider community. Mounties is proud to be a big part of this journey.
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