Father Chris Riley, a pioneering Australian priest who devoted his life to helping homeless and disadvantaged youth, died on Aug. 1 at age 70 after a prolonged illness.

According to CNA, his passing drew nationwide recognition for a life spent uplifting struggling young people through the organization he founded, Youth Off The Streets, and for a legacy that continues to shape youth services in the country.

Born on Nov. 24, 1954, in rural Victoria, Riley was raised on a dairy farm before entering the priesthood. He was ordained as a Salesian priest in 1982, a congregation dedicated to education and support for vulnerable children. It was this early environment and vocational pathway that laid the groundwork for his dedication to transforming the lives of Australia’s most disenfranchised young people.

The Launch Of Youth Off The Streets

In 1991, Father Riley started a simple outreach: a food van to help youth experiencing homelessness around Sydney’s Kings Cross. From that single initiative, he founded Youth Off The Streets, an organization that would dramatically expand under his nearly three decades of leadership.

By the time he stepped away from active leadership in 2022 due to declining health, the charity had grown into a comprehensive network of over 30 programs across New South Wales and Queensland. Those programs came to include crisis accommodation, drug and alcohol services, education programs, and counseling support.

Today, Youth Off The Streets employs more than 220 staff and supports about 1,600 young people facing homelessness each year, remaining one of Australia’s most recognized youth support organizations.

Annual Honors And National Recognition

Over the course of his career, Riley received numerous honors acknowledging his service. In 2006, he was named a Member of the Order of Australia, one of the country’s highest civilian awards, for his contributions to disadvantaged youth.

That same year, Australia’s Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission awarded him the Human Rights Medal. These recognitions signified not just respect within the church but also broader civic appreciation for his advocacy and service.

Despite declining health, Riley remained connected to the organization he built after stepping back from leadership. He maintained relationships with staff and often provided advice on new initiatives or policy directions.

Leaders Respond To Riley’s Passing

Following his death, tributes emerged from leaders across the political spectrum, underscoring the national impact of his work. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described Riley as someone with “a heart as big as the country he served.”

Albanese added that Riley “gave hope to young people doing it tough and never gave up on anyone.” He also called him “a good friend” whose work would live on through the lives he helped to change.

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns echoed the sentiments, calling Riley a “visionary” and praising his unwavering belief in what compassion and opportunity could accomplish. Minns noted that Riley took “a single food van in Kings Cross” and organically grew it into a broad support network.

Lasting Impact On Youth Support Services

Opposition Leader Mark Speakman referred to Riley as “a quiet giant.” He highlighted how Riley had given “tens of thousands of young people a sanctuary and a second chance.”

Anne Fitzgerald, board chairperson of Youth Off The Streets, called him “a tireless advocate for homeless and disadvantaged youth,” citing his “tenacity and unwavering belief” in young people’s potential. She credited him with inspiring and changing “thousands of young lives.”

Chief Executive Officer Judy Barraclough also honored Riley’s contribution. She said that his “dedication to supporting and empowering young Australians in need has left a powerful legacy,” and added that his “vision, drive, and determination” would continue to motivate the organization’s efforts into the future.

A Future Guided By His Values

Though Father Riley is no longer at the helm, his influence will remain central to the mission and values of Youth Off The Streets. The organization is expected to maintain its current scope of services while continuing to evolve in response to youth needs across Australia.

Many in the community see his work as having set the gold standard for youth outreach, with programs he initiated becoming models for similar organizations in Australia and abroad. His emphasis on holistic care – including education, emotional support, and substance abuse assistance – redefined how the public sector and private charities approach youth homelessness.

Riley’s life, built on faith, service, and compassion, left an indelible mark that continues beyond his death. For the countless young people who found safety, direction, and dignity under his guidance, the impact of his work remains deeply personal and enduring.