"Real Mentors. Real Support. Real Growth."

The founder & CEO of Young Leaders Youth Services, Mentor De, knows firsthand the realities many young people face. Raised in a religious household with strong morals and values, De still found himself disconnected during his formative years. School felt distant, home felt confining, and in search of belonging, he drifted towards the wrong crowd. This led him to leave his family home at a young age, navigating life alone through emergency homeless shelters and independent living.

The road was tough. Poor choices and involvement with the system became part of his story. Despite being in care, De often felt isolated and struggled to find meaningful connections or reasons to strive for more.

His turning point came when a dedicated caseworker and mentor from PCYC saw beyond the surface. This mentor supported De through his trauma, helped him regulate his emotions, and guided him back into education and positive routines. Most importantly, they believed in him. That belief became the catalyst for De’s transformation, and planted the seed for his life’s purpose.

Motivated by this experience, De pursued a career in the Out-of-Home Care (OOHC) sector, starting as a youth worker and progressing to management roles. Over more than six years, he walked alongside young people through some of life’s most difficult challenges, from advocating for their rights, supporting them during family restoration, helping reconnect children with their parents, to becoming their strongest supporter when they felt alone. Through it all, De realised that true change does not come from organisations alone,  it comes from the individuals who show up daily, who build trust, and who witness a young person’s growth firsthand.

This became De’s mission: to repair what many refer to as "the broken system" by creating a service that focuses on authentic, person-centred support. At Young Leaders Youth Services, our mentors lead with lived experience, empathy, and unwavering commitment. We provide young people not only with activities but with mentors who understand them, advocate for them, and empower them to take the next step on their journey.

Today, Mentor De and the Young Leaders team stand as a beacon of connection and possibility for young people. Together, they work to ensure that every young person who enters their space is not just supported, but inspired to create their own story of resilience, achievement, and leadership.

Your past does not define you — but your choices today can shape your future. At Young Leaders Youth Services, we help young people turn challenges into stepping stones."

— Mentor De