Youth homelessness is a growing and significant social issue that touches our lives directly or indirectly. Our inspirational partnerships provide hope towards better futures for young people and young families.
Since our last issue, the Hope Street First Response Youth Service in Melton (Youth Refuge) has reached a major milestone that will see the project move to its next phase of becoming a reality for young people and their children. The State Government is a key contributor of capital funding for this project and it is now my pleasure to announce Shee Oak Ridge Pty Ltd as the appointed builder for this initiative. Please download our eNewsletter below for more details on this and other features in this edition.
I am also delighted to announce that as a result of a significant grant from The Ian Potter Foundation, Hope Street has now established the Hope Street First Response Youth Mobile Outreach Service in Melton. This innovative program actively seeks, identifies and directly engages with young people and young families who are (at risk of) experiencing homelessness.
On behalf of the Hope Street Board of Directors, Corporate Committee and team members I acknowledge the generosity of our community, government, corporate and philanthropic supporters and partners who are important participants in achieving communities without youth homelessness. I sincerely thank you for your time, compassion, expertise and drive.
Best wishes
Donna Bennett
CEO
For any enquiries, please contact Fiona Rigney, Executive Administration Officer at fiona.rigney@hopest.org or on (03) 8311 9610.
Available 7 days a week from 10:00am to 12:00 midnight, our First Response Mobile Outreach Team will find, identify and engage with young people and young families who are (at risk of) experiencing homelessness. Team members will go to where young people are located, for example in hospital, school, a police station, Centrelink or another service/agency. A safe place to meet with young people can also be arranged if they are staying/sleeping on a friend's couch, in a car, in the park or the streets.
INVITATION: Hope to Home Research Evaluation Report 2018 Launch
Hope Street, in partnership with Gandel Philanthropy, the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation and local community members (including local real estate agents and businesses), have all come together and piloted a youth-focused private rental model to bridge the gap from homelessness into private rental accommodation for young people experiencing homelessness.
Victoria University has been conducting research into the effectiveness of the Hope to Home (Melton and Whittlesea) pilot program. This is an exciting time for us as a sector and this research is the first of its kind in Australia that evaluates a model that transitions young people into private rental.
Please join us as we launch the official findings from the research.
Light refreshments will be provided. This is a free event. Limited spaces.
