About Us Lions Youth Haven Inc is a not-for-profit organisation owned and supported by the Lions Clubs in the Canberra and Queanbeyan region (District 201N2). Lions Youth Haven was the vision of our founder Sel Westwood who convinced the ACT Government in 1988 that Lions could turn an abandoned farm on the Kambah Pool Road into a haven for youth at risk in our community.
Westwood Farm as it is known today, provides a refuge or haven for the at-risk youth in our communities through contracted service providers in education, job preparedness, accommodation and horticulture. This Lions Clubs Project is known as Lions Youth Haven Incorporated. Lions Youth Haven also runs a commercial horse agistment operation for up to 65 horses in stables and private and shared paddocks.
Our objectives are to provide facilities which:
- allow young people in situations of crisis to find a refuge and support;
- provide a home for homeless young people where they can gain confidence and self respect;
- provide these young people with training in basic skills which equip them better to fill their places in society as self-sufficient and productive individuals;
and - give these young people a place in the outdoors to learn about and develop their own dignity in an outdoor environment.
Lions Youth Haven is currently negotiating a partnership agreement with both the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) and the Student to Industry Program (SIP). The partnerships are designed to help "at risk" youth currently attending high schools in the region by providing vocational training in the environmental, horticultural and agricultural fields. Consideration is also being given to other training that may benefit this group. The CIT students will be involved in helping and monitoring the at risk youth whilst improving their knowledge and skills.
News & Events
Lions Youth Haven calls for young people to learn about beef cattle breeding
LYH took delivery of 12 head of registered Red Angus beef cattle recently, which will allow us to give local youth an opportunity to gain some knowledge of the beef cattle industry whilst helping to diversify our income stream.
The cattle, all of which are either pregnant or with calf at foot, will form the basis of our plan to supply quality breeding stock to the tropical herds in northern Australia.
Talks are taking place with 2 schools in the ACT on the structure of courses that will allow students to handle the younger cattle, monitor their diets, growth, health and general well being in a program that will culminate with the animals being judged at some of the local agriculture shows.
We are interested in hearing from any other schools, or organisations involved with Youth at Risk, who may be interested in taking part in the program.
The 2008 Lions Youth Haven Golf day
Run by the Lions Club of Canberra-Kambah on Friday 10th October.
7.30 am hit off.
See Events page for further details
New Website Design Implemented
A new, more professional design unveiled for our website