Hope Street was announced as the winner of the City of Melton Business Excellence Community Contribution Award 2018 at a Gala Dinner on Friday 31 August 2018. Hope Street CEO, Donna Bennett, and Programs Manager (North West), Norman Vella attended with guests from the Kirrip Aboriginal Corporation in Melton.

The awards acknowledge the contributions of local organisations displaying excellence in the City of Melton and after five months, two rounds of judging and over 130 nominations, finalists competed for awards in one of 13 categories. Hope Street was one of three finalists for the Community Contribution Award category, sponsored by MatchWorks Bacchus Marsh.

Hope Street’s outstanding achievements and recognition in the community would not be possible without our dedicated and professional youth specialist teams and our courageous and inspiring young people and young families. Special acknowledgement to our program teams in Melton including: Hope Street in Melton; Hope to Home in Melton; Hope Street First Response Youth Mobile Outreach Service in Melton. Also to the past and present executive and leadership team members for their valued contributions and behind the scenes work to get the new initiatives funded and off the ground.

The work of our Corporate Committee has been a significant factor in strengthening Hope Street and enabling our organisation to better respond to the needs of young people who experience homelessness and live the day to day impact of being without a stable and safe home. This is particularly so with our two key major projects in the City of Melton:

• Hope Street First Response Youth Service in Melton (Youth Refuge)
• Hope Street First Response Youth Mobile Outreach Service in Melton
• Hope to Home in Melton pilot program

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We would also like to give special acknowledgement to The Ian Potter Foundation, Gandel Philanthropy, the Victorian Government, Melton City Council, Woodgrove Shopping Centre, Kirrip Aboriginal Corporation, Victoria University, Edward Wilson Trust, The Marian and E. H. Flack Trust and the many companies, community organisations, families and individuals who have contributed this auspicious achievement.

Speaking to Star Weekly, Hope Street CEO Donna Bennett said:

We can give young people a safe, warm place to sleep, food ... and a plan.

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Thank you to everyone who have rallied behind young people experiencing homelessness and been a part of the solutions with Hope Street – your support, compassion and commitment to a better future for young people, their children and a community without homelessness is greatly appreciated.