Collaboration in Action: YMYW Redcliffe Celebrates Two Years of Community Support

Photos by Bianca, young Mum, YMYW Redcliffe participant

The gathering brought together representatives from Thriving Queensland Kids, Hand Heart Pocket, Queensland Health, Education Queensland, the Department of Child Safety, and members of the local community, creating space to listen, reflect and recognise the impact of the YMYW model through the voices of young parents and the multidisciplinary team who walk alongside them. 

Grounded in culture, community and lived experience 

Songwoman Baringa opened the event with a Welcome to Country, grounding the morning in respect and connection, and Micah Projects staff shared the story of YMYW Redcliffe’s beginnings, its journey over the past two years, and the next steps in strengthening support for young families in the region. 

A highlight was hearing directly from program participants. Cadence spoke with honesty and courage about their experiences of pregnancy, parenting and finding community.  

Team members Tara, Linda, Angela and Zoe reflected on the relationships, learning and shared achievements that have shaped the service since opening in January 2024. 

Two years of impact in Redcliffe 

Two years of impact in Redcliffe Since opening, YMYW Redcliffe has supported:

• 123 young mothers 
• 145 children 
• 11 young fathers 

Through early childhood groups, family support, peer connection, specialist antenatal care, and pathways to education, training and employment, the multidisciplinary team continues to work with both parents and children. The YMYW approach is all about ensuring young parents and their children have the opportunity to thrive and break the cycles of hardship. 

YMYW Redcliffe is supported by the Queensland Government Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety, Hand Heart Pocket, and the John Barnes Foundation, alongside strong collaboration with Children’s Health Queensland, youthrive, Redcliffe Hospital and visiting community services. In the Moreton Bay region, Micah Projects also provides a tenancy sustainment service for young parents, strengthening stability and connection across the community. 

30 years supporting young families 

YMYW Redcliffe is one of three YMYW hubs across Brisbane, Caboolture and Redcliffe, and part of a long and evolving commitment by Micah Projects to support young pregnant and parenting women, their children and partners. 

For more than 30 years, YMYW has demonstrated that early support changes futures. By helping parents and young children early, our community can disrupt intergenerational cycles of poverty, homelessness and trauma, and build stronger, more connected communities. 

1993: YMYW begins as one of Micah Project’s earliest initiatives.  

2000: YMYW Drop‑in Day launches 

2002: Collaboration with Brisbane Domestic Violence Resource Centre 

2007: Mater Health Services provides post-natal services for young parenting families within the Young Mothers for Young Women (YMYW) program. 

2015: YMYW celebrates its 20‑year anniversary 

2023: YMYW social enterprise launches 

2024: YMYW Redcliffe opens its doors 

2026: YMYW Redcliffe celebrates two years 

Across all locations, YMYW provides early intervention for young pregnant and parenting women - under 26 in Brisbane, and under 20 in Caboolture and Redcliffe.  

Looking ahead for young families in Moreton Bay 

As YMYW Redcliffe enters its third year, Micah Projects remains committed to ensuring young families in the Moreton Bay region have access to the right support at the right time.  

Evidence from Micah Projects’ Two‑Generational Approaches: Learning from the First 2000 Days paper shows that the earliest years of a child’s life, from conception to age five, are a critical window for shaping lifelong health, development and wellbeing.  

When young parents receive coordinated support in the first five years, the benefits extend across two generations, improving stability, safety, attachment, and long‑term opportunity. 

As Micah Projects continues to work alongside government, philanthropy and community partners, the evidence is clear: investing early in young families creates stronger, healthier communities.  

The strong voices and community support at YMYW Redcliffe’s second birthday show the shared commitment to ensuring this vital service continues to grow. 

Get in touch: Young Mothers for Young Women | Micah Projects