Pictures supplied; Dermot Carlin

A show of solidarity took place as community members, business leaders, service providers, elected representatives, and residents gathered for Project Youth's annual community breakfast, united by a shared commitment to ending youth homelessness.

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The event arrives at a critical juncture for St George and Sutherland Shire youth. Project Youth has reported a 50 per cent increase in referrals for homelessness support compared to the same period last year.

Despite serving more than 4000 young people annually, demand continues to outstrip capacity for the organisation's housing and prevention programs. This crisis has forced Project Youth to turn away more than 70 per cent of young people seeking support each year due to a lack of resources.

Attendees gathered over breakfast and coffee to hear first hand from young people with lived experience, learn about practical avenues for change, and strengthen collective action. A major highlight of the event featured testimonies from Natasha and Harry, who shared their personal journeys through homelessness and emphasised the profound difference that safe housing, professional support, and community connection can make.

Guests were also introduced to the BEAR Project, a youth-led movement by Project Youth focused on preventing homelessness through grassroots community action. Throughout the morning, attendees pledged practical actions they would take to help drive change, embodying the sentiment that while no single person can solve the crisis alone, small actions can create a massive collective impact.

Project Youth chief executive Jodie Darge said the event served as a reminder that youth homelessness is a broad community issue requiring an equally broad response. "Today was about bringing people together around a shared belief that youth homelessness can be prevented and that every young person deserves safety, belonging and opportunity," Ms Darge said. "We heard powerful stories from young people who have experienced homelessness, but these are not stories of despair. They are stories of resilience, courage and hope. They show what is possible when young people have the support they need to thrive."

Ms Darge said there were steep challenges ahead but remained optimistic about the response. "Today demonstrated that there is enormous goodwill within our community," she said. "Businesses, community groups, elected representatives, services and local residents all have a role to play in ensuring young people do not face homelessness alone."

For more than 30 years, Project Youth has worked alongside young people across the Sutherland Shire, Georges River, and Bayside communities. In the last year alone, the organisation provided more than 20,000 nights of accommodation to youth experiencing homelessness.

As part of its ongoing End of Financial Year Appeal, Project Youth is calling on the wider community to help meet the growing demand for its services. "Together, we can prevent youth homelessness from occurring and, when it does, ensure it is brief and non-recurring," Ms Darge said.

Community members wishing to support local young people facing homelessness can make a donation online.