Walking Alongside At-Risk Youth: Building Belonging, Purpose, and Positive Futures Through Street Peace
- The Daily Mirror Rppfm 98.7
- 12 minutes ago
- 3 min read
CHAT SESSION 144 with Jay Shelling from ‘Street Peace’
Topic- Supporting Young People Experiencing Disengagement, Instability, and Social Exclusion
Monday 9th February 2026 1pm https://rppfm.com.au
In 2019, after spending time on the streets of Frankston connecting with locals,
Jay Shelling came to a life-changing realisation. Jay encountered a deeply vulnerable group of young people—some as young as 10 years old—living with the daily impacts of neglect, abuse, homelessness, and chronic instability. Many of these children and young people were forming or being drawn into dangerous gangs, not out of choice or criminal intent, but from a profound need for belonging, protection, and connection in a world where they had been consistently let down.
What Jay witnessed was not a lack of potential, but a lack of safe, healthy relationships. Too often, these young people had no consistent adults walking alongside them, no one offering guidance, encouragement, or hope for a different future. Recognising the urgent need for trust, care, and long-term support, Jay founded Street Peace—an organisation built on a simple yet powerful mission: to walk alongside at-risk young people through mentoring, helping them make positive life choices and discover purpose, stability, and hope through genuine, caring relationships.
From its beginnings on the streets, Street Peace has grown into a trusted presence within the Frankston community. Today, Street Peace outreach teams engage with more than 100 disengaged young people each week, meeting them where they are—on the streets, in public spaces, and in moments of crisis. These teams provide consistency, practical support, and mentoring, often becoming the first safe adults, these young people have encountered.
In addition to street outreach, Street Peace operates a youth drop-in centre from Wednesday to Friday afternoons, offering a safe and welcoming space for young people to rest, connect, and access support. On Wednesday evenings, the organisation hosts Youth Night, known as The Nest. Each week, The Nest provides a warm, inclusive environment for up to 90 young people, many of whom are experiencing homelessness, family breakdown, or social isolation. Through shared meals, mentoring conversations, and recreational activities, The Nest offers something many of these young people have never consistently experienced: a sense of family, safety, and belonging.
The impact of this relational approach is reflected in the voices of the young people themselves. A recent youth survey confirmed that Street Peace is widely regarded as a place that “feels like family.” Thirty percent of respondents reported that the support they received helped them get off the wrong path and stay out of trouble, while 33 percent said Street Peace assisted them to engage with work or education. These outcomes highlight the power of consistent presence, trust, and belief in young people who are too often overlooked.
Beyond Frankston, Street Peace has expanded its outreach into the Bendigo and Gippsland regions, continuing its commitment to meeting young people where they are, and responding to local needs. Last year, Neighbourhood Watch and the Police in Hastings approached Steet Peace to explore establishing a youth hub in Hastings, in response to the growing community needs. Across all locations, the organisation remains grounded in its core values of relationship, consistency, and compassion.
In 2023, Jay further expanded impact by launching a social enterprise designed to create real and sustainable employment pathways for young people ready to take the next step. SP Worx, a residential and commercial landscaping construction enterprise, was established to provide hands-on training, meaningful work experience, and paid employment. Through SP Worx, young people gain practical skills, confidence, and a sense of purpose, while being supported by mentors who understand their journey and challenges.
Street Peace continues to grow as a grassroots, community-driven movement, powered by relationships and local support. The organisation invites the wider community to become Street Partners, standing alongside vulnerable young people through regular or one-off donations. By partnering with Street Peace, supporters help create safe spaces, provide mentoring, and open pathways to education, employment, and long-term change—ensuring that no young person has to face the streets alone.
To learn more about Street Peace and its mission to restore lives and bring peace back to the streets, visit www.streetpeace.com.au
Get involved and follow Street Peace
With every Street Peace Threads purchase, all proceeds go directly to the outreach and youth mentoring program for at-risk youth.
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