Beyond the Program: Why Stakeholder Partnerships Are Key to Scaling Youth Impact

Behind every successful youth engagement program lies a network of quiet heroes—caseworkers, schools, cultural mentors, youth justice officers, and transport staff who make it all possible. At the Johnathan Thurston Academy, we know that our JTYouGotThis (JTYGT) Program doesn’t operate in isolation. Its strength lies in its collaborative DNA.

As we work across Queensland in communities like Townsville, Cairns, and Mount Isa, one
lesson rings clear: you can't change lives alone. Real transformation happens when partners
unite with a shared vision—empowering young people to re-engage, rebuild, and rise.

In this blog, we explore why stakeholder collaboration is essential to scale the program’s
impact and how we’re working with diverse community touchpoints to ensure no young
person is left behind.

Schools: Rebuilding Trust and Pathways

For many participants, schools were once places of anxiety, rejection, or silence. Some had
been expelled. Others hadn’t attended regularly in months. Re-entry wasn’t just about
showing up—it was about healing relationships.

Through active school partnerships, JTA staff advocated for students, mediated with
teachers, and facilitated re-entry with dignity. The result?

• Increased respect for teaching staff (82% improvement in Hervey Bay cohort)
• 70%+ of students improved classroom participation
• Teachers reported more positive peer dynamics and engagement

In Silver Lining’s school, one participant not only returned after disengagement but came
back to mentor the next cohort. These outcomes aren’t possible without educators who are
open to second chances.

Youth Justice, QPS & Co-Responder Teams: Strategic Referrals and Early
Intervention

One of the most important ways to reach at-risk youth is through timely intervention—and
that’s where partners like Youth Justice (YJ), the Queensland Police Service (QPS), and Co-
Responder Teams come in.

In Cairns alone, 12 out of 26 referrals for the JTYGT Program were made through the
YJ/QPS Co-Responder Team, helping us reach the right young people at the right time. By
identifying disengaged or vulnerable youth early, these agencies support diversionary
pathways that replace risk with opportunity.

These partnerships ensure:

• Young people are connected to support before offending escalates
• Consistent communication between case workers and program staff
• Shared accountability for youth progress and engagement

Cultural Mentors and Community Elders: Reconnecting Identity

Our program thrives because it doesn’t treat culture as a checkbox. It treats culture as a
cornerstone.

In every region, we collaborate with Traditional Owners, cultural leaders, and Elders to:

• Facilitate yarning circles
• Provide back-on-country experiences
• Lead rites of passage sessions
• Teach storytelling and heritage through lived knowledge

These cultural components are often the emotional turning point for participants—especially
Indigenous youth who have been disconnected from their identity.

One boy from Cairns who was struggling with grief and anger found clarity through cultural
reconnection. He now identifies emotional red flags, speaks about his feelings, and is
pursuing employment—all rooted in a renewed sense of belonging.

Transport & Logistics Teams: The Unsung Enablers

It may seem simple, but getting to the program is half the battle.

In Cairns, young people often spend 30 minutes to over an hour being picked up and
dropped off due to the region’s wide geographic footprint. Without reliable transport partners,
these journeys would be exhausting—or impossible.

The JTA team coordinates pick-ups not just as a service, but as a gateway to access. Every
mile driven is a mile toward change. In a world where fatigue can reduce motivation,
transport staff become key touchpoints of encouragement and care.

Internal Staffing & Cross-Regional Support: Adapting with Integrity

In Mount Isa, staffing shortages have made consistency a challenge. But through cross-
regional collaboration, JTA has mobilized team members from other areas to fill the
gap—ensuring program continuity.

While this temporary solution isn’t without its hurdles (e.g., trust-building, familiarity), it
also shows the flexibility and commitment of our internal network. It’s not just about
showing up. It’s about showing up with integrity, cultural sensitivity, and consistency.

Program Design: Responsive to Stakeholder Feedback

One of JTA’s key strengths is its ability to adapt. After a surge in referrals in Cairns, the
program was expanded into two groups to accommodate growing demand. This was only
possible because of open communication between stakeholders—particularly the YJ service
centre staff.

Moreover, the 5-week intensive program was tailored based on input from caseworkers,
educators, and community partners. The result? Increased structure, clearer expectations, and
greater accountability—factors that helped one participant say, “This is the first time I feel
like I can succeed.”

The Ripple Effect of Collaboration

What happens when we collaborate effectively?

• A young person expelled for violence becomes an apprentice in construction.
• A girl disengaged from school earns 100% attendance and a hospitality placement.
• A teenager who once relied on substances returns for a second round of the program
  with 85% attendance—on track to be a mentor.

These stories are made possible because everyone shows up—from the caseworker who
made the referral to the school that welcomed the student back, the Elder who shared their
knowledge, and the transport staff who got them to the session on time.

Scaling the Impact: Where We Go From Here

We’re proud of what we’ve achieved. But we know this is just the beginning. To scale the JTYGT Program sustainably, we need:

• More local facilitators trained with cultural awareness
• Stronger referral pipelines from justice, education, and welfare agencies
• Community ownership, where the program becomes embedded in regional youth strategies
• Continued advocacy and investment from government, NGOs, and corporate partners

We’re not just building a program. We’re building an ecosystem of support—one that allows
young people to thrive beyond the 10-week experience.

Impact is a Team Sport

The JTYouGotThis Program is proof that youth transformation doesn’t require perfect
conditions. It requires partnerships built on trust, respect, and shared purpose.

When educators, justice teams, cultural leaders, and families work together, we don’t just
help young people attend a program—we help them reconnect with life itself.

Together, we’re not just rewriting futures. We’re designing a system where no young person
slips through the cracks.

Because at JTA, we know: It takes a village. And we’ve got this—together.