Currently, Injilinji Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Corporation for Children and Youth Services operates programs which include After School Care, Vacation Care, Youth Support Services, and Aged Care.
In addition to those employed in Aged Care, full time Youth Support Service Workers are employed to develop programs that are attuned to the special needs of the disadvantaged youth of the area. The Centre also operates as a drop-in point for recreational, educational and resource activities.
The History of Injilinji
Injilinji Youth Centre was formed in 1972 by a group of teachers from Healy State Primary School and other interested people who saw the need to provide assistance to Aboriginal children from Yallambee and Wulliberri with school homework.
These children did not have access to appropriate school homework opportunities within their own households. Within another two years, additional funding allowed for the employment of two people to run the After School Care and Vacation Care programs.
Injilinji Youth Health Service was formed in October 1990 in response to the Report of the National Inquiry into Homeless Children (Burdekin Report). The need for such a service was based upon the premise that homeless youth in Mount Isa were generally at high health risk, especially in the areas of alcohol and substance abuse, early & unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections and inadequate nutrition. The Health Service was established in a small demountable building within the Injilinji complex. The renovations commenced in November 1990 and the Injilinji Youth Health building was officially opened on December 6 1991.
The Aged Care program commenced in 1998 when Injilinji was contracted by Commonwealth Health to provide a flexible delivery service for frail aged Indigenous people in Mount Isa. Two components were identified — Community Aged Care Packages and Residential Aged Care facility.
In 2022, Injilinji Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Corporation for Children & Youth Services was selected by the State of Queensland, acting through the Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs as the successful tenderer for the delivery of a Youth Support Service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young peoples in Mount Isa and Camooweal.
