Cate Sydes

Cate has spent twenty -eight years working with young people and their families. Firstly, in education, as a special education teacher and psychologist, then, in the community service sector. To mention some of the positions held: State Manager of Accommodation Services and National Manager of Lifeforce - a suicide prevention program.

The work in education was designing programmes for young people who had long suspensions from schools also working with young people with learning, emotional and relationship difficulties. Cate has spent time working with the young people and their families where the family relationships had broken down.

The work in the community services sector involved working with young people, families and people with disabilities. Cate saw this work as extremely rewarding as it gave the opportunity to be innovative by developing mediations strategies for families in residential programs and mentoring programs for homeless young people. In the suicide prevention arena it was extremely challenging however it allowed one to make a difference by developing suicide prevention networks in the rural areas and developing community networks for the most vulnerable.

Cate's new role as Chief Executive Officer of Marist Youth Care brings with it a new set of challenges. Marist Youth Care has doubled in size in the last twelve months and the needs of the young people in Marist's care have intensified. Cate sees the major tasks ahead are; ensuring quality care is given to all the young people in Marist Youth Care, securing future funding for the increasing number of young people in crisis, finding adequate office space to accommodate our recent growth and to firm the ground for future growth to meet the ever increasing need. Unfortunately, the need for crisis accommodation and residential care for the youth in the Western Suburbs is increasing and Marist Youth Care is determined to be there for the youth by offering safe, secure accommodation and support.

Marist Youth Care will be there for the young people other organisations have given up on due to the complex needs of these young people. Marist Youth Care is determined to be the advocates for this disenfranchised population of young people.