Joel is the Team Leader of Youth Services at Woden Community Service, overseeing Youth Engagement team and Raw Potential. He is a former member of the Youth Coalition Board, serving as both co-Chair and Staff Liaison Officer.
Joel has gone above and beyond with supporting Youth Coalition staff and the organisation over a long time, but particularly in the past year. Early in 2024 Joel stepped down from his position as co-Chair of the Youth Coalition Board to hold the position of Interim CEO, whilst recruitment processes took place for a new CEO.
Joel provided cheerful, consistent and well considered leadership and support, not only to the staff team, but to the youth sector. He empowered staff members to develop projects, and continue to develop and strengthen their relationships within the sector and deliver high-quality outputs.
He initiated the Youth Coalition seeking ACNC charity registration, led participation in enterprise agreement negotiations, and championed building repairs and improvements, and strategic equipment and software purchases and upgrades. He supported the Youth Coalition to continue to develop and move forward during a significant transition period.
Aside from his hard work supporting the Youth Coalition as an organisation, Joel is a significant leader in the ACT Youth Sector. He has been part of the Youth Worker Practice Network Steering Committee, and contributed significantly to their work in developing the ACT Youth Work Code of Ethical Practice. He helps coordinate multi-program activities, bringing together youth services from all over the ACT to run combined events and programs for young people. He is a strong advocate for young people experiencing homelessness, and for the supports they need and the systemic changes that enable them to access housing, safety and support. He actively supports young people to be involved in consultations and youth participation activities, ensuring they involve trauma-informed processes that keep young people’s safety at the forefront of decision making.
Joel consistently role models good leadership to his team and to the youth sector more broadly. The Youth Coalition staff team is grateful for Joel’s dedication and support, to both the Youth Coalition and the broader youth sector.
