In a heartfelt and moving 30-minute interview, Lucy and Kel from 89.9 TheLight had the privilege of hosting Jay and the Street Peace team. During the segment, Jay, the founder of Street Peace, along with Mia and Zak, two young people impacted by the organisation, shared their personal journeys, shedding light on the work being done to transform the lives of at-risk youth.
Jay passionately unfolded the story of Street Peace, sharing the vision behind the organisation and how it has become a safe haven for many young people in Melbourne’s southeast. Reflecting on his experiences, Jay said, “When you take the time to genuinely care for them, it impacts their lives. A lot of these youth feel like society rejects them because they look scary. A very quick judgment takes place. Working with youth, you find that a lot of these kids are where they are because they make poor choices, but a lot of poor choices have been made around them, which have affected them to end up in the place they are now.”
Mia, one of the youth who found refuge with Street Peace, bravely shared her story, offering a glimpse into her past struggles and how the organisation changed her life. “In the past when I ran away, I used to go to the Police Station to seek help, but they judge us youth. There’s always a label on us. But at Street Peace, the only label we have is family and community, and it’s really, really nice there,” Mia explained.
Zak, another young person whose life has been transformed, also shared his experience. With raw honesty, he said, “If it wasn’t for Jay and Street Peace, I’d be in jail right now.” His story is a testament to the impact that genuine care and connection can have on at-risk youth.
Street Peace is dedicated to providing a safe and supportive environment where young people can heal, grow, and rebuild their lives. The organisation addresses the root causes of trauma and creates a community that fosters hope and change.
A big thank you to Lucy, Kel, and the entire team at 89.9 TheLight for the opportunity to share these stories of hope and resilience.
Listen to the full interview below!