Space for café youth culture

By Shaun Inguanzo
A NOBLE Park café will play a central role in drawing the town’s youth away from the train station and into constructive activities.
Youth Assist, the City of Greater Dandenong and the Salvation Army-run Café Salvo in Buckley Street have partnered to kickstart Y Space.
The program is aimed at 12 to 25-year-olds and provides an informal set of activities ranging from Xbox competitions to board games and even private counselling from Tuesdays to Thursday between 3.30pm and 5.30pm.
The café is licensed to hold 30 people and contains four computers each with internet access.
Group discussion and homework assistance will also be on offer for those looking beyond leisurely pursuits but still wanting to relax and have a cuppa.
In a document outling Y Space, the council said it wanted young people to embrace the Y Space not only as a social outlet but as a place to find assistance.
The document reads: “Specifically, we believe this service offers all young people, including those who maybe disengaged, an easier opportunity to access assistance in a normalising, non-stigmatising and non-threatening way.”
A council youth worker will be at the café for young people to consult with.
Café Salvo has a plasma television, lounge suites and, for those who have not yet tried it, mighty good coffee and hot chocolate.