$90,000 Funding for The Precinct
The Precinct in North Fitzroy is celebrating following the news of $90,096 in additional funding. The Hon Wendy Lovell MLC, Minister for Housing and Minister for Children and Early Childhood Development, made the announcement last week to an audience of Melbourne Citymission staff and representatives from across the sector.
The funding is for frontline staff who help young people facing homelessness. It will also enable further training for staff to provide individualised assistance for young people in areas such as independent living skills, and help them engage in education, employment and training.
The Precinct currently provides a nine-bed Stopover Youth Refuge and the Step Ahead Program, which includes a youth foyer-like model with six beds onsite and 12 beds in the community. It also provides living skills and employment programs, and an onsite school for up to 15 young people doing Year 12 equivalent.
“This facility aligns strongly with the Victorian Coalition Government’s approach to tackling homelessness through the Homelessness Action Plan, which aims to help people to live independently, participate socially and economically and reach their full potential,” Ms Lovell said.
“It’s a real pleasure to be here today to announce this funding and to tour the facility.
“It’s a great approach to supporting young people experiencing homelessness and it’s a pleasure to meet both the staff and the young people using the high-quality support services provided here.
“I’d also like to acknowledge the support The Precinct has received from the local community, and to commend Melbourne Citymission and the young people who use the services here for creating and building on this relationship,” Ms Lovell said.
Total annual funding of $360,384 will be made available to six organisations, including Melbourne Citymission, as part of the Youth Reform Program, initiated in 2007 – the Victorian Government’s commitment to supporting young people at risk of homelessness.
Pictured above: Rev Ric Holland, Melbourne Citymission CEO, The Hon Wendy Lovell MLC, Minister for Housing and Minister for Children and Early Childhood Development, and Sherri Bruinhout, Director of Melbourne Citymission's Homelessness and Justice Services.
Melbourne Citymission
Melbourne Citymission works with people experiencing disadvantage across Melbourne and Victoria. Every week we help thousands of people build a clear pathway away from economic exclusion and social isolation.
Our services support:
- people to find a pathway out of homelessness
- people with a disability to get the resources and support they need to live the life they want
- people to break the cycle of poverty and abuse
- people to find jobs, or enter into education and training.
