Off The Streets, out of home?
It’s been a Surry Hills fixture since 1996, but the days of Key College as the home of Father Chris Riley’s Youth Off The Streets program are rapidly drawing to a close. The deconsecreated church which houses the school is earmarked for development, and that means finding a new location has suddenly become a pressing priority for the non-denominational charity, without which the school is at risk of closure.
The Albion Street site is owned by the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney, which currently leases the site to Youth Off The Streets for free on a monthly tenancy. A spokesperson for the Archdiocese said two alternatives for the redevelopment of the site were being considered, but declined to provide further details, and added a final decision had not been made.
Fr Riley expressed frustration at the way in which the matter had been handled by the Archdiocese, with less than two months’ notice provided. “It hasn’t been communicated well, to be honest,” he said. “We’ve had this site, and rent-free – the Church has really been great, so I’m really grateful for that, and I have no problem moving – but the way it was done was poorly dealt with. They informed my accountant [first] that this was going to happen – she didn’t realise what she was going to a meeting about, so she was a bit thrown.”
Teacher Ben Cook, one of just two at the college, summed up the prevailing feeling at the college. “We don’t really know the details – all we know is that they said they’re going to redevelop it, refurbish it I guess, but there’s no chance of us moving back in when it’s done,” he said. “The kids probably feel a bit of anxiety about what’s going to happen to the school, because they feel a real tie to the school – it feels a lot like home, so now they’re worried about where it’s going to be [and] whether they’re going to be able to get to it next year.”
Ambassador for Youth Off The Streets, Eric Bana, said the problem required an urgent solution. “It’s an unbelievably effective program – not just effective in the sense of helping kids off the street and educating them, but [also] what the kids to with that education – go off and seek tertiary education, and do great things for themselves.”
Key College needs to confirm its location for next year with the NSW Department of Education and Training by November. With kids coming from as far afield as Campbelltown each day, a location near Central Station is essential. If you can help find suitable accommodation, contact CEO Vittoria Borazio on 0410 348 700.
