16 Yards in Collingwood

13 October 2025 | 1 min read

It was a privilege to visit 16 Yards in Collingwood, a pioneering organisation using lived-experience mentoring to support young people to turn their lives around.

Co-founders Shayne Hood and Dr Stephane Shepherd, together with their dedicated team of mentors, draw on their own life journeys to guide and support young people at risk towards positive change.

Programs like those delivered by 16 Yards are grounded in empathy, accountability and transformation—showing young people that change is possible and that their past does not define their future.

Thank you to everyone at 16 Yards for the powerful work you’re doing to help build safer communities and brighter futures across Victoria.