A simple idea. A lasting impact.

Streetwork began in 1980 with a teacher who refused to walk past young people in need.

Peter Hobbs OAM was a high‑school teacher on Sydney’s North Shore when he noticed more and more young people sleeping rough around Artarmon Station. Many were showing early signs of disconnection from family, school or safe adults — but had nowhere to turn. Instead of waiting for things to escalate, Peter took action.

He founded what would become Streetwork, creating a way for young people to access support early, on the ground, and from someone who cared. Four decades later, that same belief continues to guide our work.

“When I first started Streetwork, I witnessed a gap in services to young people experiencing vulnerability who, in increasing numbers were ending up homeless, addicted, or committing youth crime and sentenced to time in juvenile detention or prison. When what was actually needed was on the ground support at a time when young people were first showing even the smallest signs of disconnection.” - Peter Hobbs OAM

Peter spent the next decade building Streetwork with deep commitment and hands‑on effort. After handing over leadership, he continued supporting young people through various school‑based welfare and engagement roles — always returning to the same core belief: young people thrive when support is accessible, relational and responsive.

A mentor in the places young people actually are

Peter understood that effective youth support doesn’t happen behind a desk. The most meaningful connections occur in parks, cafés, skateparks, beaches and other community spaces where young people already spend time.

This approach — meeting young people where they are, physically and emotionally — still defines Streetwork today. It is why our Youth Caseworkers spend much of their time out in the community rather than in offices.

Growing our impact

From a small outreach initiative, Streetwork has grown into an organisation supporting young people experiencing vulnerability from Sydney Harbour to the Hawkesbury, and from Parramatta to the Northern Beaches. Through our partnerships and referral pathways with like-minded organisations, our impact extends all the way to western and south-western Sydney.

Each year, around 350 young people receive one‑on‑one mentoring and practical support.

Our annual social impact report by Huber Social shows strong outcomes: an 11% improvement in wellbeing and 84% non‑reoffending.

Independent evaluation by PricewaterhouseCoopers found a $16 community return per $1 invested.