ipswich & gold coast regions
APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN
A transformative 12-month program that supports positive change in young people
KYF’s Isurava Regional Reset Program is a structured, phased intervention for Ipswich and Gold Coast youth who are at risk of disengagement or youth justice involvement. Through meaningful activities, mentoring experiences, the 12-month initiative provides early support, helping young people build the skills, confidence and tools to make positive choices and create a strong foundation for life.
Rooted in the values of the 1942 Kokoda Campaign: endurance, mateship, sacrifice and courage, the Isurava Program strengthens resilience, supports re-engagement with education and guides participants to achieve personal growth through seven core phases.
Isurava is being delivered under the Queensland Government’s Regional Reset Program, as part of the Making Queensland Safer Plan. This program is funded by the Department of Youth Justice and Victim Support as an early intervention initiative for young people aged 8-17 years who are displaying a pattern of anti-social behaviours, may be disengaged from school, and are at risk of coming into contact with the youth justice system.
The Isurava Program caters to young people aged 13–17 years, providing a structured, relationship-based early intervention program focused on building resilience, self-regulation, responsibility and positive decision-making.
Isurava:Pathfinders is designed for younger participants aged 8–12 years. It follows the same core concept, values and intervention principles as the Isurava Program, with activities, expectations and delivery methods modified to be developmentally appropriate for younger children. For a detailed overview of each phase across both age groups, please see below.
This high-impact early intervention program will provide sustained support for both young people and their families. If you, or a young person you know, could benefit from the Isurava Program, please complete an application form via the link below.
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DO YOU KNOW A YOUNG PERSON THAT COULD BENEFIT FROM THE ISURAVA PROGRAM?
For more information on the Isurava Program, please download our Isurava Flyer , Isurava:Pathways Flyer or our FAQs.
THE PROGRAM SPANS SEVEN CORE PHASES:
Throughout the Isurava Program, participants strengthen resilience, re-engage with education and achieve personal growth through seven core phases. This structured journey empowers young people with confidence, leadership and practical life skills.
The intake process provides a collaborative, culturally informed, trauma-aware assessment and planning approach where young people set their own goals, agencies contribute to tailored support, and each participant receives an Individualised Behavioural Support plan to ensure their developmental, cultural, gender, and safety needs are met.
Mentoring takes place in participants home communities and includes group sessions, one-on-one support with a trained mentor, physical activities, service-based learning, career exposure, and trauma-informed debriefing.
Experiences include service projects and cultural activities promoting ownership, autonomy and personal growth.
The Foundation Camp is a short-stay, circuit breaking residential experience and KYF’s Kokoda Park that provides safe, structured environment to interrupt negative influences and establish therapeutic and cultural foundations for change, supported 24/7 by a multidisciplinary team.
Each day combines routine, mindfulness, challenge-based activities, emotional literacy sessions, and cultural learning, ending with reflective fire-circle gatherings that build trust, resilience, and personal growth.
The phase is tailored by age group, with a six-day experience for young people aged 13-17 and a four-day experience for Isurava:Pathfinders aged 8-12.
Continued from Intensive Mentoring Part One.
The Wilderness-Based Growth Camp, held at Camp Kokoda in Maroon, builds on the Foundation Camp by challenging young people through extended hikes, navigation tasks, and team-based problem-solving that strengthen trust, resilience, and emotional regulation. Cultural learning is woven throughout the expedition, with Elders leading yarning circles and sharing stories connected to land to deepen identity and belonging.
This phase is tailored by age group, with a four-day experience for young people aged 13-17 and a three-day experience for Isurava:Pathfinders aged 8-12.
This phase supports young people to reintegrate into education or training while reinforcing positive behaviour, with weekly mentoring, interest-based community service, ongoing family and service check-ins, and continued use of emotional regulation, coping skills, and physical activity in real-world settings.
The Peak Experience is a four-day wilderness expedition where participants apply the skills learned throughout the Isurava Program, take on leadership roles, reflect on their progress, set future goals, and celebrate with mentors, Elders, and the community to reinforce pride, belonging and readiness for life beyond the program.
The phase is tailored by age group, with a four-day experience for young people aged 13-17 and a three-day experience for Isurava:Pathfinders aged 8-12.
After the program, young people stay connected with mentors through weekly check-ins, support from local services, family and school liaison, and post-program reflection events, ensuring ongoing support and tracking of long-term progress.
*Image selection is used for illustration only and may not depict an actual participant.
