Whilst 2020 will be in the history books as the year of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to acknowledge the many achievements throughout this year and to celebrate these before we bid farewell to 2020 and welcome 2021.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank our Board Directors for their valued contribution. I am also deeply grateful to our leadership teams and program teams for their expertise, agility and resilience as Hope Street swiftly responded to key challenges during the year. In particular, I commend our teams for their success with continuity of services to young people and young families, while keeping our clients and each other safe resulting in zero COVID-19 positive cases.
Next year as a priority, Hope Street will progress our work with the local community to establish a Hope Street First Response Youth Service in the City of Whittlesea.
This leading-designed facility, based on the First Response Youth Service in Melton model opened in August 2020, will provide crisis accommodation and support to 100 young people including young families per year, in a purpose-built 13-bedroom centre that includes two 2-bedroom family units. The model also incorporates a mobile outreach service to 120 young people including young families per year.
Thank you to all who attended our Annual General Meeting tonight. We hope that you found the evening informative and enjoyable.
Our Annual Report is now available for you to download and share with your networks:
On World Homeless Day and World Mental Health Day on 10 October, Hope Street acknowledges the strengths and resilience of the thousands of young people and young families experiencing homelessness each year. We are inspired by their abilities in living each day whilst coping with the impact of not having a safe home, including instability, poverty and poor mental health. Hope Street is here to support you.
Sign up to have our free quarterly Partners eNewsletter delivered to your inbox and learn more about how Hope Street and its partners are supporting young people and young families who don't have a safe place to call home.
Many young people face obstacles when trying to secure stable accommodation due to no rental history, lack of affordable housing, and no employment to sustain rental leases. The Hope to Home in Whittlesea pilot program will address these issues by:
Please contact us if you would like to become a partner and support at risk young people and young families.