Hope Street CEO, Donna Bennett, is thrilled to announce that the Victorian Government has allocated further vital funding for the Hope Street First Response Youth Service in Melton.

Dear Supporters and Friends of Hope Street

The additional $1.276 million for the Hope Street First Response Youth Service in Melton brings the State Government's total contribution to $2.476 million towards the capital build cost of the specialist youth supported crisis accommodation centre (youth refuge).  We are very grateful to the State Government for their commitment to the project which will provide support and accommodation to young people and young families in crisis as a result of and impacted by homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless in the municipality of Melton and neighbouring communities.

The development of the Hope Street First Response Youth Service in Melton specialist supported crisis accommodation centre can only be possible with the genuine leadership and collaboration of young people, businesses, government (Federal, State and Local), schools, clubs, not for profit organisations, philanthropy, families and individuals. It is truly a community owned and driven project. 

As well as the State Government, we especially thank the following supporters for their inspirational, compassionate and generous contributions to the project:

• over 32 companies for building materials/supplies donated and/or contributed at minimal cost to the retail value of $1,050,000 - their commitment makes a significant difference to the financial outlay for the project
• generous community members who have donated approximately $180,000 through fundraising events and our Donations page
• Edward Wilson Trust for their grant of $84,000 towards the capital of the new youth refuge's family unit
• The Marian and E.H. Flack Trust for their grant of $30,000
• Melton City Council for their commitment of a significant block of land in Melton to be leased to Hope Street to build the crisis accommodation facility, and for their continued support

Hope Street greatly values all the financial and non-financial contributions received from all levels of government; corporate, community, and philanthropic organisations; and concerned community members.  Your immense support, goodwill, insights and expertise to date means that the project can now progress without further delay with construction aiming to commence in early 2018.

Melton Project Watch in new Featured Stories section

Photo Album

Given this is such a community inspired and involved project I am committed to maintaining the connection with the wonderful community members supporting this vital project.  Regular updates on the Hope Street First Response Youth Service in Melton project as each milestone is achieved over the next twelve months will be provided on our website.

I welcome and encourage you to follow the project's progress through our new Featured Stories section which will include news and photos of the crisis accommodation centre from its construction to the opening of its doors to the local community as well as good news stories of how young people have been assisted.  

In appreciation

Donna Bennett
Chief Executive Officer

OCTOBER UPDATE: Since this article was published, the site plans and fly-through have been updated - the video below features new views of the facility.