9 February 2009

Services for young people who are same-sex attracted or gender diverse are set to improve following a new collaboration between two of NSW’s leading community organisations.

ACON – Australia’s largest GLBT health and HIV organisation – and Twenty10 – the state’s peak support agency for young people of diverse genders and sexualities – have entered into a new partnership aimed at delivering better services for young people who are same-sex attracted or gender diverse.

Under the new agreement ACON and Twenty10 plan to help build each others’ capacity to reach out to and work with young people by:

• Collaborating more closely on information and education campaigns for young people 
• Sharing research and information about young people
• Better coordinating the case management of shared clients

ACON President Mark Orr says the new agreement recognises that ACON and Twenty10 serve similar population groups and that health and wellbeing outcomes can be maximised through increased collaboration and partnership approaches.

“ACON has been providing special services for young people for over 21 years,” says Mr Orr. “For much of that time, we’ve worked together with many agencies, including Twenty10, to promote the health and wellbeing of young GLBT people. This new partnership with Twenty10 builds on our existing relationship and will ensure that we can provide an even more effective service for young people for many years to come.”

Twenty10 Co-Convenors Jude Page and Dr Sean Gallagher say the agreement represents a unique opportunity for ACON and Twenty 10 to share their expertise in a mutually beneficial partnership.

“Since 1982, Twenty10 has worked with young people who are same-sex attracted or gender diverse, their communities and families to ensure that they have more opportunities to participate fully in society,” says Ms Page.

“Through this agreement, ACON and Twenty10 are aiming to develop a more cooperative working relationship, and foster a better understanding of the programs and services of ACON and Twenty10, and the young people we serve.”

“This will help ensure that resources made available to both organisations by government, business and the community reach young people who are same-sex attracted or gender diverse, their communities and their families so they get the support they need and the best possible outcomes,” says Dr Gallagher.     

ENDS

For more information or to arrange an interview or photo opportunity, please contact

Michael Badorrek, Media and Communications Manager, ACON
T: (02) 9206 2001     M: 0400 358 109     E: mbadorrek@acon.org.au

David Moutou, Development Manager, Twenty10
T: (02) 8594 9560     M:  0466 60 2010    E: david@twenty10.org.au