Creating a Real Impact
in Our Community
Empowering Youth. Strengthening Communities. Making a Difference.
About Us
The Hub of Respect (THOR) Inc. is a not-for-profit organisation based in Alice Springs, focused on improving the mental health and wellbeing of young people.
We deliver trauma-informed, movement-based programs that combine physical activity with mentoring to support young people facing social and emotional challenges. Our goal is to create safe, supportive spaces where young people can build confidence, resilience, and positive connections.
Through partnerships with schools and community organisations, THOR provides early intervention programs that help young people stay engaged, develop life skills, and create positive pathways for their future.
MAD Program (Making A Difference)
The MAD Program is our flagship 8–10 week youth mentoring program. It combines boxing and fitness with guided mentoring to build confidence, emotional regulation, respect, and teamwork in young people aged 10–17.
1:1 Youth Mentoring
We provide one-on-one mentoring for young people needing more targeted support. This helps build trust, confidence, and practical life skills while supporting positive behaviour and decision-making.
School & Community Partnerships
THOR works with local schools and organisations to deliver programs where they are needed most. These partnerships help us support at-risk youth early and strengthen community connections.
Youth Wellbeing & Prevention
Our programs focus on early intervention, helping young people develop resilience, improve wellbeing, and stay connected to school and community through positive, structured activities.
Key Outcomes
Improved school attendance and stronger engagement in learning and classroom participation
Reduction in violent or antisocial behaviour through the development of positive coping strategies
Increased resilience, self-awareness, confidence, and emerging leadership skills
Stronger connections to family, culture, and community, fostering a sense of belonging and identity
OUR KEY OUTCOMES
Stronger School Engagement
Improved attendance, motivation, and participation in learning
Positive Behaviour Change
Reduction in antisocial behaviour through better emotional regulation and decision-making
Resilience & Leadership
Increased confidence, self-awareness, and leadership skills
Community & Cultural Connection
Stronger sense of belonging and connection to family, culture, and community
Mental Health & Wellbeing
Enhanced wellbeing through structured activity and mentoring support
Our Impact
20+
Programs Delivered
500+
Young People Supported
Schools & Organisations Partnered
10+
15+
Community Partners Involved
Years Serving
Alice Springs
10
In the Media: Stories That Inspire
MAD program's impact continues to gain attention across media, local news outlets, and community platforms. From feature stories to interviews and event coverage, our programs are helping shape positive narratives around youth in Central Australia.
Highlights include:
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Feature interview on ABC Radio Alice Springs with our Program Coordinator
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Local news coverage of MAD graduation ceremonies and school partnerships
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Youth success stories shared by community organisations and education partners
We’re proud to be recognised for our contribution to youth development and community resilience.
Stay tuned to this section for new articles, press releases, and video features.
Testimonials: Voices from Our Community
LEON TRIPP
REGIONAL YOUTH PROGRAMS COORDINATOR
DEPARTMENT OF CHIEF MINISTER
"The Northern Territory Government provided The Hub of Respect (THOR) with funding through the 2018-19 Youth Activities Grants to deliver the MAD program to young people attending the Alice Springs Centralian Senior College. Young people displaying ongoing behavioural issues and at risk of disengaging with school completely were identified and subsequently enrolled in one of the four 10 week MAD programs that operated throughout the funding period.
Consistent results were achieved for these young people including, raised self-esteem, greater attendance and engagement in school and a general heightening of self-awareness and confidence.
This program has been lauded by numerous government agencies including Police and the Department of Education and the NGO youth sector in general and for this reason, I would urge you to consider this funding application favourably."
Priscilla Atkins
cEO
North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA)
"THORs program provides an essential program for youth at risk to prepare themselves for challenges in life.
NAAJA will work with this program to support youth through our community legal education and youth program."
S/C I/C Matthew McKinlay
Alice Springs Youth Diversion
Northern Territory Police, Fire and Emergency Services
"The MAD program is of particular interest to me as a youth diversion program. Many people balk at the idea of a program that incorporates boxing in the content. Focus on that one element fails to grasp the full nature of the program. The MAD program is much more than just a boxing program.
This intensive program is very likely to achieve positive results for at risk youth from a trauma background by providing a structured program that supports and guides them toward coping with current adverse situations and building capacity to make better choices into the future."
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Tyson Carmody
Director
Clontarf Academy
"We often engage with the program to address issues of anger, violence, and stress as well as mental health issues, which are impacting on our students' ability to focus on their educational needs. Our students and staff really enjoy the training Steve provides in his gym, not only because of the physical fitness but also because Steve sets a strong precedent of safety and respect in all of his activities.
We have seen already that this training has been a positive anger management tool for students and with the respectful relationships established, the students have gained greater resilience as a result of the commitment they need to stick to their routine, This also helps to transfer these newly learned skills of commitment, resilience and respect to their school and social life."
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Tony Collins
Principal
Centralian Senior College
"Our student cohort includes some vulnerable students at risk of disengaging from education, some with emerging drug and alcohol issues, some without stable homes and family structures and many suffering from past trauma.
As the only provider of public senior years education in Alice Springs it is important for the positive wellbeing of the local community that such programs as MAD are offered to our student cohort of 350 students, over half Aboriginal, a third with English as an Additional Language / Dialect and a third with additional learning needs. "
OUR TEAM
Steven Gardiner
Public Officer
Erin Turner
Secretary
Jason Reid
Treasurer
Terry Simpson
Chairperson
Moments That Matter:
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OUR
PROGRAM
Our flagship initiative, the MAD Program, is an 8-week youth mentoring and movement program that combines boxing, strength training and trauma-informed mentoring. The program supports young people to build confidence, emotional regulation, leadership, respect, accountability and positive peer relationships.
The MAD Program is informed by real community need and strengthened by evidence gathered through staff observations, participant feedback, support letters, referrals, attendance, engagement and strong local partnerships. It is delivered alongside local schools, youth justice, Aboriginal organisations and community services.
