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Time of India
4 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
Father Chris Riley AM dies, a tireless advocate for disadvantaged youth no more
Father Chris Riley AM, the compassionate founder of Youth Off The Streets, has passed away at 70 after a prolonged illness. Riley dedicated his life to helping homeless and disadvantaged youth, establishing the charity in 1991. His unwavering belief in every young person's potential and hands-on approach transformed countless lives, leaving a lasting legacy of hope and support. Father Riley launched Youth Off The Streets in 1991, with a food van for homeless youth in Sydney. It has since expanded to over 220 staff delivering services across NSW and Queensland. (Image: Instagram/deborahhutton) Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The birth of Youth Off the Streets One project at a time Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Recognition and awards Member of the Order of Australia (2006) Human Rights Medal (2006) from the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Honorary Doctorate (2010) from the University of Western Sydney NSW Australian of the Year (2012) His belief: One kid at a time Catholic priest and youth advocate Father Chris Riley AM, founder of the Sydney-based charity Youth Off The Streets , has died at the age of 70. In a statement released, the organisation said Father Riley passed away on Friday, July 1, peacefully at home following a prolonged recognised for his decades-long work with homeless and disadvantaged youth, Father Riley founded the charity in 1991 and served as its CEO until 2020, stepping down from his board role two years later due to ill health.'Father Riley will be remembered for his compassion, tenacity and unwavering belief that every young person deserves the chance to reach their full potential,' said CEO Judy Barraclough of Youth Off The is with deep sadness that Youth Off The Streets has announced the passing of its founder, Father Chris Riley AM, on 1 August 2025, following a long illness. He was Keith Riley was born and raised in Eucha, Victoria, the third child of Kevin and Mavis Riley, born on 24 November 1954 in Eucha Hospital. He had an older sister, Helen, an older brother, Peter, and two younger brothers, Wayne and attended Salesian College. From a young age, he wanted to devote his life to helping troubled young to follow a similar path, he enrolled at Rupertswood College, a Salesian boys' school, where he began preparing for a life of service and became a Priest at the age of 21, according to 1973, he joined the Salesian Order's teacher training college, later working at Boys' Town (his inspiration) in Engadine, NSW, his first hands-on experience with youth in later completed degrees in English and Sociology at Monash University, along with diplomas in counselling and psychology, grounding his mission in both faith and evidence-based 1991, Father Riley launched Youth Off The Streets with a single food van serving meals to homeless young people in Sydney's inner city. Over the next three decades, it would grow into a respected national organisation with over 220 staff members delivering wraparound services across NSW and model was always hands-on and human-first, providing crisis accommodation, drug counselling, alternative schooling, vocational training, and mental health support tailored to young people aged 12 to 2020, he transitioned from CEO to the role of Founder and Executive Director on the organisation's board, stepping away completely in 2022 due to Riley believed in building local infrastructure to break cycles of disadvantage. One of his proudest achievements was the 2011 launch of the Koch Centre for Youth and Learning in Macquarie Fields, developed in response to the 2005 riots. There, he worked with young people and their families to restore hope and safety.'You need infrastructure in troubled suburbs where the kids can be looked after... We have to try and make the community safer and work with families to keep kids at home,' he said at the Riley's decades-long contribution to youth welfare earned him both national recognition and public his achievements, Father Riley remained grounded in the belief that every individual life mattered.'If you save one child, you save the world. That's my focus. One kid at a time. And if they put on my tombstone that I saved one kid, then that would be more than enough for me.'His ability to connect with young people, hear their stories, and advocate fearlessly on their behalf made him a rare and powerful figure in Australia's social fabric.
Economic Times
4 hours ago
- General
- Economic Times
Father Chris Riley AM dies, a tireless advocate for disadvantaged youth no more
Who was Father Chris Riley Live Events The birth of Youth Off the Streets One project at a time Recognition and awards Member of the Order of Australia (2006) Human Rights Medal (2006) from the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Honorary Doctorate (2010) from the University of Western Sydney NSW Australian of the Year (2012) His belief: One kid at a time (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Catholic priest and youth advocate Father Chris Riley AM, founder of the Sydney-based charity Youth Off The Streets , has died at the age of 70. In a statement released, the organisation said Father Riley passed away on Friday, July 1, peacefully at home following a prolonged recognised for his decades-long work with homeless and disadvantaged youth, Father Riley founded the charity in 1991 and served as its CEO until 2020, stepping down from his board role two years later due to ill health.'Father Riley will be remembered for his compassion, tenacity and unwavering belief that every young person deserves the chance to reach their full potential,' said CEO Judy Barraclough of Youth Off The is with deep sadness that Youth Off The Streets has announced the passing of its founder, Father Chris Riley AM, on 1 August 2025, following a long illness. He was Keith Riley was born and raised in Eucha, Victoria, the third child of Kevin and Mavis Riley, born on 24 November 1954 in Eucha Hospital. He had an older sister, Helen, an older brother, Peter, and two younger brothers, Wayne and attended Salesian College. From a young age, he wanted to devote his life to helping troubled young to follow a similar path, he enrolled at Rupertswood College, a Salesian boys' school, where he began preparing for a life of service and became a Priest at the age of 21, according to 1973, he joined the Salesian Order's teacher training college, later working at Boys' Town (his inspiration) in Engadine, NSW, his first hands-on experience with youth in later completed degrees in English and Sociology at Monash University, along with diplomas in counselling and psychology, grounding his mission in both faith and evidence-based 1991, Father Riley launched Youth Off The Streets with a single food van serving meals to homeless young people in Sydney's inner city. Over the next three decades, it would grow into a respected national organisation with over 220 staff members delivering wraparound services across NSW and model was always hands-on and human-first, providing crisis accommodation, drug counselling, alternative schooling, vocational training, and mental health support tailored to young people aged 12 to 2020, he transitioned from CEO to the role of Founder and Executive Director on the organisation's board, stepping away completely in 2022 due to Riley believed in building local infrastructure to break cycles of disadvantage. One of his proudest achievements was the 2011 launch of the Koch Centre for Youth and Learning in Macquarie Fields, developed in response to the 2005 riots. There, he worked with young people and their families to restore hope and safety.'You need infrastructure in troubled suburbs where the kids can be looked after... We have to try and make the community safer and work with families to keep kids at home,' he said at the Riley's decades-long contribution to youth welfare earned him both national recognition and public his achievements, Father Riley remained grounded in the belief that every individual life mattered.'If you save one child, you save the world. That's my focus. One kid at a time. And if they put on my tombstone that I saved one kid, then that would be more than enough for me.'His ability to connect with young people, hear their stories, and advocate fearlessly on their behalf made him a rare and powerful figure in Australia's social fabric.
Sydney Morning Herald
4 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
I was Father Chris Riley's biographer. I'm so sad, but glad he got his dying wish
A few days ago, Father Chris Riley, that extraordinary Catholic priest who founded the charity Youth Off The Streets, which has helped an estimated 60,000 young people, said he thought he might die soon. 'I think I might like to die,' declared the man who grew up with horses, 'on the horses' birthday.' And he did. On August 1. Father Chris always liked to get his own way, whether batting away government objections to win approval for his various projects, hammering on corporate doors for funds, or even unashamedly assailing the ears of the righteous to give more to his charity at church services. And while it made him some enemies, he'd stop at nothing if he thought it might help secure a better future for Australia's youth. At the first school in Victoria where he worked as a teacher, he upset many people by setting up a refuge for homeless kids next door and refereeing (terribly one-sidedly) football matches between the pupils and 'his' kids. Even in his last weeks, he was calling out politicians he felt had got it wrong in terms of child policies. Loading That stubbornness was something I admired hugely in him, even though it frequently caused me problems. I was his biographer with the book Mean Streets, Kind Heart. He phoned one day when I was halfway through writing it. 'This book,' he said, 'it isn't going to be much about me, is it?' It was, and it proved a massive bestseller. He often had me in tears, hearing the heart-wrenching stories of some of the kids he'd helped. A girl who received, on her 13th birthday, a shot of cocaine from her dad. Another girl whose father held a gun to her head and pressed the trigger; she had no idea it wasn't loaded. A boy beaten so hard for not wanting to hold hands with his dad on their way to church, his leg was broken.
The Age
4 hours ago
- The Age
I was Father Chris Riley's biographer. I'm so sad, but glad he got his dying wish
A few days ago, Father Chris Riley, that extraordinary Catholic priest who founded the charity Youth Off The Streets, which has helped an estimated 60,000 young people, said he thought he might die soon. 'I think I might like to die,' declared the man who grew up with horses, 'on the horses' birthday.' And he did. On August 1. Father Chris always liked to get his own way, whether batting away government objections to win approval for his various projects, hammering on corporate doors for funds, or even unashamedly assailing the ears of the righteous to give more to his charity at church services. And while it made him some enemies, he'd stop at nothing if he thought it might help secure a better future for Australia's youth. At the first school in Victoria where he worked as a teacher, he upset many people by setting up a refuge for homeless kids next door and refereeing (terribly one-sidedly) football matches between the pupils and 'his' kids. Even in his last weeks, he was calling out politicians he felt had got it wrong in terms of child policies. Loading That stubbornness was something I admired hugely in him, even though it frequently caused me problems. I was his biographer with the book Mean Streets, Kind Heart. He phoned one day when I was halfway through writing it. 'This book,' he said, 'it isn't going to be much about me, is it?' It was, and it proved a massive bestseller. He often had me in tears, hearing the heart-wrenching stories of some of the kids he'd helped. A girl who received, on her 13th birthday, a shot of cocaine from her dad. Another girl whose father held a gun to her head and pressed the trigger; she had no idea it wasn't loaded. A boy beaten so hard for not wanting to hold hands with his dad on their way to church, his leg was broken.
Sky News AU
6 hours ago
- General
- Sky News AU
Sydney youth service founder Father Chris Riley dies age 70
A prominent youth support worker and priest, Father Chris Riley, has died aged 70. The Catholic Priest was best known for his work as the founder of Youth Off the Streets in Sydney. His death was announced on the service's Instagram page on Friday afternoon, following a 'long period of ill health'. Anthony Albanese has paid tribute to Father Riley, describing him as having 'a heart as big as the country he served'. 'He gave hope to young people doing it tough and never gave up on anyone,' he said. 'He was a good friend and his legacy will live on in the lives he changed.' Education Minister Jason Clare said Father Riley had 'saved and changed the lives of thousands and thousands of young Australians' and the news of his death was 'devastating'. 'It was an honour to call him my friend.' NSW Premier Chris Minns marked his death with 'profound sadness', noting his 'visionary' work had 'changed the lives of tens of thousands of young people across New South Wales'. 'In founding Youth Off The Streets in 1991, he turned a single food van in Kings Cross into a lifesaving network of crisis accommodation, counselling and other wrap around support services,' Mr Minns said. 'Father Riley believed there is no child born bad, only circumstances to overcome, and he spent over three decades proving that with compassion and opportunity young lives can be transformed.' NSW opposition leader Mark Speakman offered his condolences to those close to Father Riley, a man he referred to as a 'champion for the homeless, the disposed and the vulnerable'. Youth off the Streets now has more than 200 staff members and offers education pathways to disadvantaged children and young people across NSW and Queensland. According to the foundation's website, 1607 homeless young people are provided with housing and 1232 First Nations Australians are provided with support services each year. Youth off the Streets chairperson Anne Fitzgerald said Father Riley was a 'tireless advocate' for disadvantaged young people. 'Father Riley will be remembered for his compassion, tenacity and unwavering belief that every young person deserves the chance to reach their full potential,' she said. Youth off the Streets CEO Judy Barraclough said Father Riley's dedication had left a 'powerful legacy'. 'His vision, drive and determination will continue to inspire our organisation as we strive to provide growing numbers of disadvantaged children and young people with safety, support and education for a better future.' Originally published as Sydney youth service founder Father Chris Riley dies age 70
