Young people accessing the service are primarily seeking legal advice - usually for criminal charges, fines and negative contact with police. Mission Australia's Shopfront Youth Legal Centre aims to assist these young people who face disadvantage such as vulnerability in their interactions with police and other government agencies; sexual assault, child abuse and other forms of violence ; homelessness, mostly following abuse, neglect or extreme family dysfunction resulting in departmental care; mental health concerns; and intellectual disability.
Mission Australia needs to urgently raise $80,000 to give young people facing disadvantage the opportunity to successfully move into adulthood, well prepared for life ahead. This involves having legal professionals educate them about the law, preventing re-occurring incidents with the law, and case-workers to help address other difficulties they face.