After 17 years Whitelion is set to cease its Tasmanian operations, as part of a "transformational journey" aimed at ensuring the organisation's future financial sustainability.
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The national organisation has been supporting young at-risk Tasmanians since 2002, with more than 150 youth expected to be directly impacted by its closure along with seven staff and 50 volunteers.
Whitelion chief executive Hang Vo said young Tasmanians requiring ongoing assistance would be referred to "established quality providers".
"We aim to do everything to ensure the transition is personal and that they are well supported," she said.
"Exact services will be chosen dependent on location, needs and choice of the young person."
The closures form part of Whitelion's focus for impact plan, aimed at creating a sustainable base from which the organisation could continue its work nationally with the "greatest impact".
In other news:
Whitelion's offices in Launceston, Burnie, St Helens and Hobart will all close from September 30, with all existing services to cease operation.
This includes the prison through care program, an initiative of the state government which provides support to youth exiting incarceration.
Human Services Minister Roger Jaensch said there were a number of state government-funded programs that provided support to at-risk youth.
"These include the targeted youth support program, supported youth program, the moving on program, the transition from detention, bail support, the lead co-ordination service and outreach programs," he said.
Along with the Tasmanian closures, Whitelion will no longer deliver its existing prevention programs and will exit all current social enterprises established in Victoria.
Ms Vo said Whitelion was confident there were other organisations who would continue to support young people across Tasmania, "in both the youth justice system and across other areas of need".
"Whitelion's richest contribution in Tasmania has been the hundreds of volunteer mentors who have been trained by Whitelion to support at-risk young people in their own communities," she said.
"Our hope for the future in Tasmania is that community mentors continue to be valued and recognised as a powerful mechanism for increasing social connection."
Jessica Willard
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
