New Townsville residential care service, Miya, putting family first

A fresh approach to resi care is changing lives in Townsville, offering struggling kids more than just a place to stay. Here’s what they’re doing a bit differently.

Miya director Ray Chan Tung at one of the organisation's residences in Townsville. Picture: Evan Morgan

A fresh approach to residential care is changing lives in Townsville, offering struggling kids more than just a place to stay.

Miya, an organisation led by CEO Lachlan Sloan and Director Ray Chan-Tung, is on a mission to support troubled youth and reunite families in North Queensland.

In just six months, they’ve opened 12 homes across the city, and they’re just getting started.

The pair aren’t new to the space, drawing on the success they’ve seen in New Zealand, where Miya’s sister company, Mana Service, has been operating for five years.

Unlike traditional care services, they pride themselves on placing family at the heart of everything they do.

As Mr Chan-Tung puts it, their approach isn’t solely focused on box-ticking — it’s about healing, reunification and breaking the cycle of offending.

Miya CEO Lachlan Sloan and director Ray Chan Tung at one of the organisation's residences. Picture: Evan Morgan

“We’re not just a care organisation; we’re a mentoring organisation that delivers care,” Mr Sloan said.

“Everybody deserves to have someone in their life who makes sure that they’ve got somewhere safe to be, a roof over their head, food, clothing, and general care.

“But a mentor is the person who goes that step further, someone who says, I’m going to invest in you and push you to be better.”

Already, they’re seeing powerful results. Two brothers, separated for nearly two years in the system, are back under one roof thanks to Miya.

Their mum was even granted a supervised stay in their Miya home over Christmas in addition to her weekly visits — something rarely seen in traditional care.

Another family, an aunt caring for three siblings, needed a break over the holidays. Instead of splitting them up, Miya stepped in to provide short-term support, keeping them together.

“My hope would be that we are, in part, a catalyst for change in how care is delivered,” Mr Sloan said.

“So there’s more family-oriented approaches rather than the current child-centred model.”

Mr Chan-Tung believes stability and genuine relationships are key.

Unlike traditional services with daily shift changes, Miya’s carers spend multiple days with kids.

Staff even receive self-funded therapeutic support to ensure they’re emotionally equipped to provide the best care.

Currently operating under a fee-for-service model with Child Safety, Miya hopes to become a licensed provider soon, ensuring they can continue their work in the long term.

Originally published as New Townsville residential care service, Miya, putting family first