Platform Youth Services - Penrith, New South Wales

Amba S.

I cannot recommend Platform Youth Services highly enough. Their team truly stands out for their deep understanding of the complex challenges that young people face today. Whether it's navigating housing instability, mental health concerns, or family conflicts, their staff approach every situation with remarkable professionalism and care.

What truly sets Platform Youth Services apart is their overwhelming compassion for people from all walks of life. They demonstrate a genuine commitment to supporting individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds, ensuring that everyone feels heard, valued, and respected. The team goes above and beyond to create a safe and inclusive environment where young people can access the help they need without judgment.

Their ability to handle even the most difficult situations with empathy and patience is commendable. The staff are not only knowledgeable but also incredibly resourceful in connecting young people to the right services and opportunities to help them move forward in life.

If you're seeking a youth service that genuinely cares and has the expertise to make a difference, Platform Youth Services is an outstanding choice. Their dedication to empowering young people and their families is truly inspiring, and I am grateful for the positive impact they continue to make in the community.

Agel A.

I have been meaning to share my experience with Platform Youth, particularly for potential Black individuals or people of color who may find themselves in similar situations. My time with this organization has been marked by systemic discrimination and a troubling pattern of behavior among staff that seems to disregard the lived experiences of people of color.

Throughout my interactions with Peter Thorsby, an Outreach worker, I felt silenced, undermined, and abandoned, especially during a meeting where my vulnerability was weaponized against me. I was emotional, crying through much of it—not because I was weak, but because the environment was so hostile and hurtful. Instead of recognizing my pain, it felt like my emotions were being used to discredit me, to make me seem less credible. My vulnerability should have been acknowledged as a sign of how serious the situation was for me, but instead, it became a tool to undermine my credibility.

Despite presenting evidence of verbal attacks I faced from housemates, Peter Thorsby failed to advocate for me and allowed others to frame me as the aggressor. When I told him how difficult it is to wake up as a Black woman every day, his response was, "I know how hard it is to wake up as a white male." This comment not only deflected from my experience but showed a lack of empathy. By shifting the conversation to himself, he minimized the systemic challenges I face. While his personal struggles are valid, comparing them to the realities of racism is a false equivalence that reflects a failure to recognize his privilege and the power imbalance between us.

As Dr. Ramani discusses in her video, “The Roles of Gaslighting and Narcissism in Racism,” “Insecure people are very dangerous. Their fear and their perception of constant threat from the outside world because their egos are so fragile makes them very skittish, impulsive, and dangerous. Insecure people lash out as a way to compensate for their insecurities and their fragile egos and insecure identities are at the core of narcissism ... and the core of racism.” This insight resonates deeply with my experiences at Platform Youth. It became clear to me that the organization feels intimidated by Black people and is motivated to humble us whenever given the chance.

Dr. Ramani also highlights the characteristics of such insecurity: “A lack of empathy for people of other races, having no awareness of the privilege held by one’s own group, feeling that one race is entitled to more power than other races, having contempt for other people merely for the color of their skin, feeling superior to others, and feeling emboldened to devalue and even abuse other groups on the basis of race.” Such issues I found were evident in my interactions with staff and the organization as a whole.

I also noticed that my visits to Headspace were repeatedly brought up, supposedly out of concern. But it felt more like an attempt to undermine me, as if seeking help for my mental health somehow discredits what I’m going through. I found that it was beyond troubling and dehumanizing that this was used as a point of weakness rather than being seen for what it is—a responsible way to care for myself in the face of everything I’m dealing with.

Pet-to-threat: individuals who were once perceived as safe can become threatening when their position of privilege is challenged. My presence and experiences seemed to intimidate those in power, leading to defensive and aggressive behaviors aimed at discrediting me rather than addressing the real issues at hand.

Power doesn’t just come from holding a position; it comes from the actions of those around us. People like you—those who are uncomfortable and don’t care—often fail to stand up in situations that require empathy and understanding. On Monday, October 21st, 2024, you and the others may have felt you had the upper hand, but that doesn’t make it right.

M J.

Very unorganised, selfish company. I do not recommend at all.

Richard S.

Supportive staff and environment with a mission to help those facing difficulties.

Selena L.

Good for not doing their jobs promised me a home and left me with nothing after working with them for years to end up with nothing homeless thanks for nothing platform

Caitlin F.

If I could give 0 stars I would.

stella M.

let me return to an abusive household w no way or means to help rectify the impaired relationships

Zen T. V. A. (.

Idk why its rated one star but i think they deserve 5