The Ansar Youth Program is a structured House of Sadaqa program for young men, built around mentorship, belonging and hands-on involvement in the charity’s work. It exists because the years between school and adulthood are when a young person either finds a place to belong or finds one elsewhere.
Why a charity runs a youth program
It is a fair question given how narrow our mission otherwise is. The reasoning is that young men in this stage of life need three things that are hard to find together: something useful to do, adults who take them seriously, and a group that expects something of them.
A charity with a warehouse, outreach runs and real work to be done can offer all three without inventing activities.
What it involves
- Regular sessions. A consistent weekly rhythm rather than occasional events, because consistency is most of the value.
- Mentorship. Time with older men who listen properly.
- Community service. Taking part in real work, including warehouse shifts and distribution runs.
- Brotherhood. A peer group built around contribution rather than status.
Why service works
Participants help pack essentials for families, sort donations, and join Clothe the Homeless outreach. Handing a sleeping bag to someone on a cold night reframes a young person’s sense of their own circumstances more effectively than any talk about gratitude.
It also gives them something they are genuinely good at, and being needed is underrated as a form of support.
Getting involved
If you have a son, brother or student who would benefit, or you are a young man interested yourself, details are on the Ansar Youth Program page. You can also contact our team for current intake information.
Mentors are welcome too. If you can commit consistent time, that is the resource youth programs are always shortest on.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Ansar Youth Program?
A structured House of Sadaqa program for young men, combining regular sessions, mentorship and hands-on involvement in the charity’s community work.
Who can join?
Young men in the Sydney area. Contact our team for current age ranges and intake details.
What do participants actually do?
Regular sessions with mentors, plus real community work including packing essentials for families, sorting donations and joining homeless outreach runs.
Is there a cost?
Contact our team for current details on intake and any associated costs.
Can I volunteer as a mentor?
Yes. Consistent, reliable adult time is the resource youth programs most often lack. Get in touch to discuss.
Support the work behind this article
House of Sadaqa is a registered Australian charity helping local families in crisis with household essentials, whitegoods and emergency relief. There are three direct ways to be part of it:
- Donate, with donations over $2 tax-deductible
- Volunteer your time in the warehouse, on outreach runs, or at events
- Clear a NSW fine through a Work and Development Order
You can also support us without donating a cent, simply by choosing one of our social enterprises. Each one puts its profits back into supporting families:
- Goodwill Connect, NBN internet for Greater Sydney
- Panda Paper, premium bamboo toilet paper delivered to your door
- The Goodwill Laundry, self-serve laundry in Bankstown
- The Goodwill Shop, our op-shops in Revesby and Bankstown